[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S9646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 571, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 571) recognizing Hispanic Heritage 
     Month and celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic 
     Americans to the strength and culture of the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the month-long 
celebration beginning today honoring the heritage of Hispanic 
Americans.
  Every year, we set aside a month to pay special regard to the 
contributions of Hispanic Americans.
  The tradition began nearly 40 years ago, when Congress authorized 
President Lyndon Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. 
Two decades later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to 
4 weeks--today's National Hispanic Heritage Month.
  While the celebration has begun only recently, Hispanics have always 
defined America.
  The history of Europeans in what is now the United States, in fact, 
begins with the voyage of a Spanish explorer named Ponce de Leon who 
landed on Florida's west coast in 1521.
  Since then, Hispanic Americans have infuenced every aspect of our 
history and culture. Let me discuss just a few:
  David Glasgow Farragut, a proud Tennessean of Spanish descent, proved 
the North's most able naval commander during the Civil War. He becamd 
the first admiral of the U.S. Navy.

  Severo Ochoa, a Nobel Prize recipient, revolutionized modern medical 
science when he discovered RNA, ribonucleic acid, one of the chemical 
building blocks of life.
  Celia Cruz, a singer, introduced salsa music to the United States 
through her recordings and performances.
  Louis and Walter Alverez, both research scientists, originated the 
once-controversial theory that asteroid impacts can explain the 
periodic mass extinctions that have shaped the history of life on 
Earth.
  Roberto Goizueta, Oscar Hijuelos, Benjamin Cardozo, Alberto Gonzalez, 
Rita Hayworth, Roberto Clemente--entrepreneurs, artists, public 
servants, athletes, scientists, scholars--these names stand out, but 
many others move America forward every day. We cannot name all of the 
countless heroes who have fought in wars, treated the sick, taught our 
children, and devoted themselves to public service.
  Through continuing migration to our shores, Hispanic Americans 
continue to strengthen American culture. Foods, music, and artistic 
forms considered unalterably ``foreign'' just a few short years ago 
have now become firm parts of the American identity.
  Today, as we begin a month-long celebration of Hispanic hereitage, I 
join with all Americans in recognizing the invaluable role of Hispanic 
Americans in shaping and enriching these United States.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, today I wish to voice my support for 
the Senate resolution designating September 16, 2006, through October 
16, 2006, as Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Americans are our 
largest ethnic minority, and I am a cosponsor of this resolution 
because I believe it is an appropriate way to recognize the 
contributions made by our Hispanic American community.
  Hispanics have migrated to the United States from all over the world. 
They have added to our national security by serving valiantly in the 
U.S. Armed Forces; many have paid the ultimate price and sacrificed 
their lives for freedom.
  In my home State of Texas, Hispanic women and men shaped our Republic 
in its early years, and to this day, subsequent generation of Texans 
continue to enjoy the liberty for which our Texan and American 
ancestors fought so courageously.
  Americans of Hispanic origin have contributed to the econmy with 
their notable work ethic and have served honorably at all levels of 
government. Three of my Senate colleagues find their roots in Hispanic 
origins.
  It is because of these contributions and their love of equality, 
justice, and independence that I am proud to support the distinguished 
majority leader, Senator Frist, and my other Senate colleagues in 
designating September 16, 2006, through October 16, 2006, as Hispanic 
Heritage Month.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 571) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 571

       Whereas from September 15, 2006, through October 15, 2006, 
     the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;
       Whereas the presence of Hispanics in North America predates 
     the founding of the United States, and, as among the first to 
     settle in the New World, Hispanics and their descendants have 
     had a profound and lasting influence on the history, values, 
     and culture of the United States;
       Whereas, since the arrival of the earliest Spanish settlers 
     more than 400 years ago, millions of Hispanic men and women 
     have come to the United States from Mexico, Puerto Rico, 
     Cuba, and other Caribbean regions, Central America, South 
     America, and Spain, in search of freedom, peace, and 
     opportunity;
       Whereas Hispanic Americans have contributed throughout the 
     ages to the prosperity and culture of the United States;
       Whereas the Bureau of the Census now lists Hispanic 
     Americans as the largest ethnic minority within the United 
     States;
       Whereas Hispanic Americans serve in all branches of the 
     Armed Forces and have fought valiantly in every war in the 
     history of the United States;
       Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest United States 
     military distinction, awarded since the Civil War for 
     ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life 
     above and beyond the call of duty'';
       Whereas 41 men of Hispanic origin have earned this 
     distinction, including 21 such men who sacrificed their 
     lives;
       Whereas many Hispanic Americans who served in the Armed 
     Forces have continued their service to the United States;
       Whereas many Hispanic Americans are dedicated public 
     servants, holding posts at the highest levels of government, 
     including 3 current seats in the United States Senate; and
       Whereas Hispanic Americans have a deep commitment to faith, 
     family, and community, an enduring work ethic, and a 
     perseverance to succeed: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes September 15, 2006, through October 15, 
     2006, as Hispanic Heritage Month;
       (2) celebrates the vast contributions of Hispanic Americans 
     to the strength and culture of the United States; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate programs and 
     activities.

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