[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 94 (Tuesday, July 18, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H5329-H5331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A SALVORDAN-AMERICAN DAY

  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 721) supporting the goals and ideals of a 
Salvadoran-American Day (El Dia del Salvadoreno) in recognition of all 
Salvadoran-Americans for their hard work, dedication, and contribution 
to the stability and well-being of the United States.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 721

       Whereas the aftermath of 40 years of internal political 
     turmoil forced hundreds of thousands of individuals in the 
     Republic of El Salvador to flee that country and seek peace 
     and security in a new country, the United States;
       Whereas Salvadoran-Americans constitute a significantly 
     growing population in the United States, with the majority 
     living in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the Washington, 
     D.C., metropolitan area, and various other areas in the 
     United States;
       Whereas the history of the United States is a rich and 
     enduring tapestry woven with the threads of many remarkable 
     lives, cultures, and events, and the lives, work, and 
     artistry of Salvadoran-Americans have added strength, 
     vitality, and purpose to that tapestry;
       Whereas the maturing Salvadoran-American community 
     continues to make great economic and cultural contributions 
     to daily life in the United States;
       Whereas many of these Salvadoran-Americans actively 
     participate in the United States educational system, further 
     promoting their sense of American pride within communities in 
     this country;
       Whereas Salvadoran-American families should have an 
     established day to acknowledge the contribution and value of 
     their culture to the United States;
       Whereas the strength of the Salvadoran-American culture can 
     be preserved and passed on to future generations;
       Whereas Salvadoran-American families, communities, and 
     generations that follow are committed to maintain both 
     Salvadoran and American cultures, while promoting cultural 
     interchange;
       Whereas free of prejudices and as proud men and women, 
     Salvadoran-Americans participate and contribute to the 
     social, educational, professional, and political systems of 
     the United States;
       Whereas Salvadoran-American individuals, families, 
     organizations, and communities in cities and States across 
     the Nation wish to share the establishment of a nationally 
     recognized and celebrated Salvadoran-American Day (El Dia del 
     Salvadoreno), beginning on August 6, 2005, and to be 
     celebrated by all generations that follow;
       Whereas on August 6, 1525, the official founding of Villa 
     De San Salvador was declared in the Valle de las Hamacas 
     (Valley of the Hammocks) where the indigenous ancestors of El 
     Salvador fought historic battles against the submission and 
     abuse of Spanish colonialism in order to preserve the life 
     and liberty of the Cuscatleco population; and
       Whereas August 6 is a day of recognition for Salvadoran-
     Americans to celebrate throughout the United States: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     goals and ideals of a Salvadoran-American Day (El Dia del 
     Salvadoreno) in recognition of all Salvadoran-Americans for 
     their hard work, dedication, and contribution to the 
     stability and well-being of the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Marchant) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 721 offered by the 
distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis). This resolution 
would support the goals and ideals of a Salvadoran American Day.
  Currently, thousands of Salvadoran Americans reside in the United 
States, mostly within California, the Washington, D.C. area, and New 
York. August 6 marks the date of the celebration of Fiestas Agostinas, 
an observance that dates back to 1525, paying homage to the cultural 
festivities of El Salvador, and is widely observed by the Latino 
community in the United States.
  This day has grown in significance over the years as the Salvadoran-
American community has matured and adapted the holiday to fit the lives 
of Salvadorans living in the United States. Living in a country built 
by offerings from many cultures and nationalities, Salvadorans have 
brought forth many economic and cultural contributions to weave into 
the American fabric.
  I urge all Members to come together to pay homage to many Salvadoran 
Americans that are thriving in our society today by adopting H. Res. 
721.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, 40 years of political turmoil forced many individuals 
from the Republic of El Salvador to flee the country in search of peace 
and security in the U.S. Currently, there are over 900,000 Salvadoran 
Americans living in the U.S. The majority of them have found new homes 
in California, New York, and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
  The history of the U.S. is a rich and enduring tapestry woven with 
the threads of many remarkable lives, cultures and events. The lives, 
work, and

[[Page H5330]]

artistry of Salvadoran Americans have added strength, vitality and 
purpose to that tapestry.
  The Salvadoran-American community continues to make great economic 
and cultural contribution to the United States. Therefore, I urge my 
colleagues to support H. Res. 721.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers at this moment, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Solis), my colleague.
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Missouri and obviously the Members of this very important committee 
that helped to pass this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, today, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 721, a 
resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Salvadoran American 
Day, el dia del Salvadoreno. I would like to thank Chairman Davis and 
Ranking Member Waxman for their support in bringing the resolution to 
the floor today.
  This resolution recognizes the Salvadoran Americans for their hard 
work, dedication and contributions to our stability and well-being of 
the United States.
  Forty years of internal political turmoil forced thousands and 
thousands of individuals from the Republic of El Salvadore to flee and 
come to this country. They sought peace and security and a better life 
in the United States.

                              {time}  1515

  Madam Speaker, my mother was born in Central America, in Nicaragua, 
and immigrated to the United States to seek a better life. As the only 
Member of Congress of Central American descent, I am honored to 
recognize Salvadoran Americans and Salvadoran American Day.
  Currently, there are over 900,000 Salvadorans living in the U.S. The 
majority live in Washington, D.C., New York, California and Miami. In 
the Los Angeles metropolitan area alone, parts of the district that I 
represent, there are nearly 300,000 Salvadoran Americans.
  This celebration of Salvadoran tradition dates back to August 6, 
1525, almost five centuries ago, when the city of Villa De San Salvador 
was founded. El Dia del Salvadoreno marks the culmination of a week-
long celebration ``Fiestas Agostinas'' and is arguably the most 
important civic-religious celebration in El Salvador. The celebration 
pays homage to the cultural festivities of El Salvador, while 
recognizing that Salvadorans have adapted themselves to life in the 
United States.
  Celebrated by Salvadoran Americans in California and throughout the 
country, this day has grown in significance over the years. Back in 
2001, the city of Los Angeles honored Salvadoran American Day, and in 
2002 Salvadoran American Day was declared as a statewide event in 
California. More than 100,000 Salvadorans participated in these 
celebrations in 2005, and we know and expect we will see more this 
coming August.
  I am proud that Congress is helping to recognize and honor this day. 
Salvadoran American Day contributes to a positive image for 
Salvadorans, as well as improving a better understanding between our 
diverse communities and this part of America.
  I would like to recognize and thank the Salvadoran American National 
Association, known as SANA, the SHARE Foundation, and all of the 
Salvadoran American and Central American organizations for their 
support and their work to provide for this resolution.
  Let us not forget that our Nation was built by the people from many 
nations and different backgrounds and cultures. In fact, many of the 
workers who helped rebuild the Pentagon were of Salvadoran background. 
They love this country. I urge my colleagues to recognize the 
Salvadoran Americans and pass this resolution.
  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I certainly would like to thank the 
gentleman from Missouri for offering me this opportunity to say a few 
words in support of this resolution.
  I certainly want to extend my commendation to the gentlewoman from 
California for being the chief sponsor of this bill, and I regret to 
say I should have been an original cosponsor, and I want to be on 
record that I want to be on as an original cosponsor of this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, August 6, 1525 means a lot to the Salvadoran Americans 
in our country. As the gentlewoman from California said earlier, we 
almost have a million fellow Americans whose ancestry is from El 
Salvador.
  On August 6, 1525, the official founding of Villa De San Salvador was 
declared in the Valle de las Hamacas, or the Valley of the Hammocks, 
where the indigenous ancestors of El Salvador fought historic battles 
against the submission and abuse of Spanish colonialism in order to 
preserve the life and liberty of the Cuscatleco population.
  This is very significant and important, Madam Speaker, and I 
certainly want to say that we truly are a Nation of immigrants. Whether 
you be from South America, and even if you are from Ireland, we can 
never forget the problems there, the people starving to death, and 
there was the Irish potato.
  Madam Speaker, I don't know why you call it the Irish potato; potato 
came from America, and that is what saved millions of our fellow Irish 
people coming over here to this country.
  The interesting thing about it, too, is I have been to Central 
America and I have been to El Salvador, and I say that for good reason, 
millions of these people coming from Latin America come to this country 
why? Because they love freedom, they seek opportunity for jobs, and 
want the best America has to offer. What's wrong with that?
  I think this resolution signifies the importance that we should 
recognize not only the presence of our fellow Salvadoran Americans, but 
also the contributions that they made to this great country.
  Again, I commend the gentlewoman from California for proposing this 
resolution and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
721, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis that I am 
proud to have cosponsored. H. Res. 721 supports the goals and ideals of 
a Salvadoran-American Day (El Dia del Salvadoreno).
  Currently, there are more than 900,000 Salvadoran Americans living in 
the United States, with the majority of them living in California, the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and New York. In the Los Angeles 
metropolitan area alone there are nearly 400,000 Salvadoran-Americans.
  Today, El Dia del Salvadoreno is celebrated among the Latino 
community in California. This celebration of Salvadoran traditions 
dates back to 1525 when the city of Villa De San Salvador was founded.
  The history of the United States is a rich and enduring tapestry 
woven with the threads of many remarkable cultures and events, and the 
lives, work, and artistry of Salvadoran-Americans have added strength, 
vitality, and purpose to that tapestry.
  As a former Peace Corp volunteer in El Salvador, I experienced first 
hand the culture, hard work and dedication of the people. I commend 
Salvadoran-Americans for their resilience and contribution to the 
stability and well-being of the United States. I also thank the 
estimated 800 Salvadoran nationals who are currently serving in the 
U.S. military for their efforts on behalf of the security of our 
country.
  The Salvadoran-American community continues to make great economic 
and cultural contributions to daily life in the United States, and I am 
proud to support H. Res. 721 and the goals and ideals of Salvadoran-
American Day.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in firm 
support of H. Res. 721, which supports the goals and ideals of a 
Salvadorian-American Day (El Dia del Salvadoren) in recognition of all 
Salvadoran-Americans for their hard work, dedication, and contribution 
to the stability and well-being of the United States.
  Salvadorans form an integral part of our communities and our labor 
force. My district in Northern Virginia, for example, is home to many 
hard-working Salvadorans who pay taxes and consume U.S. products. 
Salvadorans also play an important role in the economy of their native 
country by sending billions of dollars in payments to their families in 
Central America every year. The remittances that

[[Page H5331]]

these individuals send to their families are a large source of revenue, 
which the United States could not match in foreign aid. As a result, 
after suffering through a string of brutal civil wars, El Salvador now 
has a moderate, democratically-elected government.
  Madam Speaker, in closing it is all too easy to overlook the 
important and daily contributions that Salvadorian Americans have made 
not just to Northern Virginia, but to our Nation as a whole. This bill 
provides much needed and deserved recognition to the Salvadorian 
American community for the indelible mark they have made upon the 
diversity and prominence of our great nation. I urge an ``aye'' vote.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 721, 
supporting the goals and ideals of Salvadoran American Day, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I urge Members to support H. Res. 721, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Marchant) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 721.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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