[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E283-E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE WORK OF THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN 
              AMERICAN CITIZENS ON THEIR 75TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2004

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to 
join my colleagues in recognizing and honoring the work of the League 
of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC, on their 75th anniversary.
  Serving as the nation's oldest and largest Hispanic organization, 
LULAC has improved the lives of millions of Latinos across our nation, 
by never wavering from its commitment to advance ``the economic 
condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and 
civil rights'' of our country's Hispanic population.
  During LULAC's early years, they faced great opposition from those 
who did not wish to see the status and well-being of Hispanics improve. 
Many members were harassed and

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threatened. yet the dedication and determination of LULAC's founding 
members persevered.
  Today, this organization has become one of the greatest Hispanic 
civil rights organizations in America, with an all-volunteer membership 
and a glowing list of accomplishments.
  Representing Latinos from all over the nation including, Guam and 
Puerto Rico, LULAC has taken the lead toward groundbreaking 
accomplishments for the Hispanic community.
  One of these is particularly dear to me.
  In 1945, LULAC took an active role in the fight against segregation 
in my home County of Orange in California. The Orange County School 
System kept its schools segregated on the grounds that Mexican children 
were ``poorly clothed and mentally inferior to white children.''
  Eventually, LULAC was successful in their lawsuit to integrate this 
school system.
  The following year, LULAC, along with Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez, 
filed the Mendez v. Westminister lawsuit that ended 100 years of 
segregation in the California public school system.
  Thanks to this suit, I, the child of Mexican immigrants, was able to 
benefit from a great public education in Orange County.
  Many don't realize that the Mendez case laid the foundation for the 
watershed case of Brown vs. Board of Education eight years later.
  Mr. Speaker, one cannot deny the great impact this lawsuit had on 
bringing greater educational opportunities not just to Hispanic 
children, but to all children across the nation.
  Yet, this is just one example of the great work LULAC has done since 
their founding in 1929!
  This organization has fought for voting rights and the inclusion of 
Hispanics in the political process.
  It has provided access to educational mentoring and tutoring, and has 
helped fund millions of dollars in scholarships.
  And LULAC continues to fight for the betterment of Hispanic workers, 
especially in the area of Hispanic health issues.
  I am very honored to be standing here today to express my 
appreciation for all of LULAC's accomplishments.
  I wish them continued success in the future as they continue their 
work for improving the lives of Americans in the Hispanic community.

                          ____________________