[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2710-E2711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 28, 2009

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House 
Resolution 783, Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the 
vast contributions of Latino Americans to the strength and culture of 
the United States. The rich history of the United States is 
strengthened by the important contributions of Latinos, who have played 
major roles in building this country and making it a better place.
  From the Revolutionary War to the conflicts we are fighting overseas 
today, Latinos have proudly served this country and willingly 
sacrificed their lives for the preservation of our great nation. In 
addition to serving in the armed forces, Latinos have helped our 
country take great steps forward in the fields of medicine and science 
and have contributed greatly to the advancement of business, education, 
civil rights, and politics.
  I am proud to represent the First District of Connecticut, whose 
cultural fabric has been

[[Page E2711]]

greatly enriched by the Latino community. I am especially proud of the 
accomplishments of SAMA, the Spanish American Merchants Association, a 
Connecticut nonprofit with more than 300 members that provides 
technical assistance, educational programs and loan programs for small 
businesses in the community. SAMA's Empresario Latino Development 
Center is the small business premier provider of educational resources, 
material, and training in English/Spanish for entrepreneurs in the 
State of Connecticut.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month 
and ask that we continue to celebrate the many contributions of Latinos 
to our nation in the months to come.

                          ____________________