[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HECTOR BARRETO, SR.

 Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, I rise today to mourn the passing 
of a great businessman and a pioneer in the Hispanic community, Mr. 
Hector Barreto, Sr. The story of his life and his accomplishments are 
truly inspiring, and his leadership will be sorely missed.
  Hector Barreto, Sr. was born in Mexico City and raised in 
Guadalajara, Mexico. In his early twenties, he immigrated to Kansas 
City, MO, where he met and married his wife, Maria Luisa. He started 
out digging potatoes on a farm near Corning, MO, for 80 cents an hour. 
After saving money from years of work, he was able to start his own 
restaurant, Mexico Lindo, which means ``Beautiful Mexico.'' Though 
Mexican restaurants were rare in Kansas City in the 1950s, Hector's 
business thrived, and its success allowed him to open a second and 
third restaurant as well as an import company and a construction firm.
  In 1979, Hector founded the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce along 
with several other Hispanic business leaders. For the last 25 years, 
the Hispanic Chamber has represented the interests of the Nation's more 
than 1.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses and harnessed the vast 
economic potential of Hispanic Americans. Also in 1979, Hector decided 
to delve into politics, supporting Ronald Reagan's successful 
Presidential bid and eventually working on his transition team. 
President Reagan addressed the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 1983, 
becoming the first sitting President to address such a conference.
  Hector was also quite proud of his son, Hector Barreto, Jr., who like 
his father has made a name for himself in both business and politics. 
Hector Jr. delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention 
nominating George W. Bush for President, and President Bush later 
appointed him the administrator of the Small Business Administration.
  Hector leaves behind Maria Luisa, his wife of 43 years, his children 
Hector Jr., Anna, Gloria, Rosa, and Mary, and 12 grandchildren. His 
efforts opened doors for millions of Hispanics and other Americans, and 
his legacy as a successful entrepreneur who lived the American Dream 
will live on.

                          ____________________