Congressional Record, Volume 152 Issue 94 (Tuesday, July 18, 2006)

[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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