[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2001

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of 
the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to the success of 
Hispanic businesses in the United States and Latin America and to offer 
my strong support of H. Con. Res. 277.
  The Hispanic community has become the fastest growing minority group 
in the United States. The Hispanic community plays an essential role in 
sustaining the viability of the nation's economy and the number of 
Hispanic-owned firms is growing rapidly. According to the Census Survey 
of minority-owned business enterprises, Hispanic-owned business in the 
United States totaled 1.2 million firms in 1997 and employed over one 
million people. These businesses generated nearly $200 billion in 
revenues.
  At the center of the growth is the United States Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce. Over the years, the chamber has worked closely with the 
concerns and issues that affect Hispanic firms, developing business 
relationships, promoting international trade, and advocating to the 
Congress and Administration on behalf of these businesses. The 
Chamber's commitment to the Hispanic business community is a 
contribution to the economic empowerment of the Latino population as a 
whole and its impact has been felt throughout the Nation.
  Promoting Latino-owned businesses is particularly important in my 
congressional district of Upper Manhattan. The Hispanic influence in 
this community is significant and the Chambers' continuing efforts to 
promote such ownership, particularly in the small business arena is 
critical to the economic viability of my community and its future. For 
the Chamber's initiatives, I commend them.

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