[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 120 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S10372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the Hispanic 
community. As we commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to 
recognize the contributions made by millions of Hispanics to our 
Nation. The greatness of California is that it is truly a multicultural 
State and I am honored to represent California's Hispanic community in 
the U.S. Senate.
  This month we celebrate a community that believes in the American 
goals of freedom, opportunity, and a chance to build a better life. In 
pursuing these aspirations, Hispanics have made enormous contributions 
to life in the United States through business, politics, science, 
culture, sports, and entertainment. Hispanics have served in the armed 
services with bravery and courage and many have made the ultimate 
sacrifice in giving their lives for the common good of our country. 
Through their service, they have brought honor to America and their 
Hispanic heritage--a rich heritage from which all of America benefits.
  Today, I rise to honor the sacrifices that these brave Americans and 
their families have made. I also want to honor Hispanic heroes and 
heroines, such as the late Cesar Chavez. Indeed, Hispanics are changing 
the way America looks at itself. Today there are 31 million Hispanics 
in the U.S. By 2050, our Nation's Hispanic population is projected to 
reach 96 million--an increase of more than 200 percent.
  Hispanics are making their mark; between 1984 and 1998 Hispanic 
voting increased nationwide in midterm elections by 27 percent, even as 
overall voter turnout declined by 13 percent. In my own State of 
California, where nearly 11.5 million Hispanics comprise over 32 
percent of the population, Hispanics are participating and contributing 
to civic life in important ways. Two of the California State 
legislature's three highest offices are occupied by Hispanics: Lt. Gov. 
Cruz Bustamante and Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez. On the local 
level, the people of Los Angeles elected Antonio Villaraigosa as the 
first Hispanic mayor in over a century, and 20 percent of Los Angeles' 
city council seats are held by Hispanics. The Hispanic community has 
provided great leadership for California, and will provide important 
leadership for our country.
  Hispanics are visibly successful in other areas as well. From Sammy 
Sosa in sports to Jennifer Lopez, Andy Garcia, and Salma Hayek in the 
entertainment industry, Hispanics have added greatly to the fabric of 
our Nation.
  We must not forget the critical contributions Hispanics have made to 
education and science. The 1995 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Dr. 
Mario Molina, joined the University of California, San Diego last year, 
and Dr. Eduardo Macagno is the founding dean of the Division of 
Biological Sciences at the same University.
  A democratic and prosperous society should not step back from a 
national commitment to provide assistance to those who strive to 
achieve the American dream, despite the odds. In particular, I want to 
emphasize the importance of quality education for the success of 
Hispanic children. The University of California system alone enrolled 
nearly 25,000 Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students last year. 
Hispanic youths are a great source of strength and hope for the future 
of this Nation and they should be able to participate fully in the 
American experience; that is the primary reason why I have been a 
strong supporter of the DREAM Act.
  Mr. President, I am proud to honor California's Hispanic community 
and to have the opportunity to ensure that Hispanic contributions and 
sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

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