[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E691-E692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL LATINO DAY FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2004

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give recognition to The 
National Latino Day Foundation, which is dedicated to celebrating the 
contributions of the Latino population throughout the U.S. and the 
Americas.
  The National Latino Day Foundation has chosen July 24th to celebrate 
National Latino Day. On this day, Latinos will celebrate freedom, 
positive self-awareness, cultural unity, and their important roles in 
the democratic process. Planned events will recognize Latinos' active 
participation and creative leadership in our communities and their role 
as responsible American citizens.
  It is appropriate that the Latino contribution be recognized in this 
way. In the Western

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Hemisphere, the Latino population expands to over 700 million people. 
Latinos are the fastest growing and largest minority group in the U.S., 
with 40 million people, and will play a significant role in shaping our 
Nation's future.
  The goals of The National Latino Day Foundation are to promote unity 
and closer bonds between Latinos and other Americans. The Foundation 
strives to expand the Latino population's political participation, 
uphold international peace and goodwill, and most important, celebrate 
the Latino heritage, culture and the arts.
  The National Latino Day Foundation has made it their mission to 
ensure that a National Latino Day is established to recognize and 
celebrate the contributions of the Latino population in the U.S. The 
National Latino Day Foundation aspires to transform National Latino Day 
into a positive movement for national unity, social, political, and 
economic growth. I support this effort, ask my colleagues to do the 
same, and look forward to celebrating National Latino Day on July 24th.

                          ____________________