[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 125 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7182-S7183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 629, submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The bill clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 629) recognizing Hispanic Heritage
Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in
the United States and their immense contributions to the
Nation.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I rise today to recognize September 15
through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. America has always
celebrated its diverse heritage with pride. It has always honored those
who have contributed and made this Nation great.
Irish Americans, Italian Americans, African Americans, Asian
Americans--all Americans--have come to this Nation and added to the
rich and colorful patchwork quilt of American democracy.
This resolution recognizes Hispanic Americans for the contributions
they have made to the rich fabric of America. It designates the next 30
days as Hispanic Heritage Month and in so doing celebrates the long
history of Latinos in the United States and the extraordinary
contribution they have made to this Nation throughout our history. That
history is clear--written boldly but sometimes little known. But this
is our history in America, and it is America's history.
Latinos have proudly served this Nation, helped build it and defend
it, and continue to serve today.
We have been contributing to and have been part of the American
tapestry for hundreds of years. Hispanics fought for freedom alongside
the patriots in the American Revolution.
Increasingly, we find references to those who came before us--
Bernardo de Galvez, a Spanish army officer--the Governor of Louisiana
from 1775 to 1785--who played a role in blocking British advances
against George Washington in the American Revolution. And Jorge
Farragut, a Spanish ship captain who came to America and fought for the
colonies against the British.
He was the father of the Civil War hero ADM David Farragut, known for
his famous rallying cry, ``Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead.''
I would imagine that few who walk past Farragut Square in
Washington--not far from this Chamber--realize that Admiral Farragut
was of Hispanic origin.
Latinos fought and died on both sides of the Civil War and have
participated in every war since. There were at least 10,000 Mexican
Americans fighting for the Union during the Civil War and a number of
others fighting for the Confederacy.
In one of the folkloric tales of the Civil War, there was the story
of Loretta Velasquez who was born in Cuba and claimed that she
disguised herself as a male lieutenant and fought against Union forces
at several battles, including Bull Run, and later claimed to have
worked as a spy for the Confederacy.
[[Page S7183]]
Even in the Spanish-American War, a dozen Latinos were among Teddy
Roosevelt's Rough Riders.
In World War I, an Army pilot, David Cantu Barkley of Laredo, TX, of
Mexican decent volunteered to penetrate German lines in France. With a
comrade, he drew maps of German positions and supplies.
Barkley drowned on the return trip, but his partner survived and
carried back the logistical information. Praised by General Pershing,
Barkley won the Medal of Honor. Among the heroes of World War II was
marine PFC Guy ``Gabby'' Gabaldon who won the Navy Cross for capturing
more than a thousand enemy soldiers in the South Pacific during the
summer of 1944.
The honor and patriotism of these brave soldiers cannot be
overstated.
The story of Alejandro Ruiz, an Army private who fought in Okinawa,
epitomizes their commitment to this Nation and the tragedy some of them
endured.
Private Ruiz's Medal of Honor citation noted his ``conspicuous
gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.
. . . When an enemy soldier charged him his rifle jammed. Undaunted
Private Ruiz whirled on his opponent and clubbed him down . . .
. . . Leaping from one opening to another, he sent burst after burst
into the pillbox, killing 12 of the enemy and completely destroying the
position . . .
. . . Private Ruiz's heroic conduct in the face of overwhelming odds,
saved the lives of many of his comrades and eliminated an obstacle that
long would have checked his unit's advance.''
Private Ruiz wrote in a letter: ``I never questioned my duty because
I believe that as Americans we have a responsibility to serve our
country and preserve our way of life and freedoms. All I can say is I
did what I had to do.''
Private Ruiz served this Nation with honor. Madam President, 14,000
Hispanic soldiers served in Korea and more than 300 died; 80,000
Hispanics served in the Vietnam war, representing 5.5 percent of those
who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in those years--even
though, at the time, Latinos comprised only 4.5 percent of the
population.
As we speak, 28,000 Latinos currently serve with distinction in
Afghanistan and Iraq; 561 casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan have been
Hispanic casualties.
In fact, there are almost 1.5 million Hispanic veterans of the Armed
Forces in this country today who also served with honor.
And of the Hispanics who have served in uniform, 41 of them have been
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, including David Cantu Barkley
and Private Ruiz.
This month we celebrate the contribution of all Latinos to the
history of this Nation.
We celebrate the contribution of the many community leaders and local
heroes in our neighborhoods, our cities, and towns, and in every State
in America.
All across this Nation, the Latino population is growing. We are now
the largest minority group in the country--contributing to the
community, the economy, and the political debate.
Today, Hispanics hold 29 seats in the U.S. Congress, 2 in the
Cabinet, and 1 on the Supreme Court.
We are no longer on the outside looking in. We are at the table on
every major issue before Congress--every major issue before the courts.
I stand here, a United States Senator, a lawyer, a Hispanic American
who took his seat on the floor of this Chamber not long ago and proudly
cast my vote for Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Justice of
the U.S. Supreme Court.
That was a historic moment for me, a historic moment for the Hispanic
American community, one we will never forget, but I can say with some
measure of confidence, I believe it is only the beginning.
This month let us celebrate not only Hispanic Heritage but let us
proudly celebrate and proclaim the history of Hispanics in America
going back to the Revolution, and then let us recognize the role a new
generation of young Latinos will play in making this, the 21st century,
another American century.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and join with me in
celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States
and their immense contributions to this Nation.
Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or
debate, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed
in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 629) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 629
Whereas, from September 15, 2010, through October 15, 2010,
the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;
Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population
in the United States at almost 47,800,000 people, making
Hispanic Americans the largest ethnic minority within the
United States;
Whereas 1 in 5 United States public school students is
Hispanic, and the total number of Hispanic students enrolled
in public schools in the United States is expected to reach
28,000,000 by 2050;
Whereas the purchasing power of Hispanic Americans is
nearly $1,000,000,000,000, and there are more than 2,300,000
Hispanic-owned firms in the United States, supporting
millions of employees nationwide and greatly contributing to
the economic sector, especially retail trade, wholesale
trade, food services, and construction;
Whereas Hispanic Americans serve in all branches of the
Armed Forces and have bravely fought in every war in the
history of the United States;
Whereas more than 28,000 Hispanics currently serve with
distinction in Afghanistan and Iraq;
Whereas 140,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean War;
Whereas more than 80,000 Hispanics served in the Vietnam
War, representing 5.5 percent of individuals who made the
ultimate sacrifice for their country in that conflict
although they comprised only 4.5 percent of the United States
population at the time;
Whereas, as of August 7, 2010, 561 United States military
fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan have been Hispanic;
Whereas, as of September 30, 2009, there were approximately
1,332,033 Hispanic veterans of the Armed Forces;
Whereas 41 Hispanic Americans have received the
Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in
action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an
individual serving in the United States Armed Forces;
Whereas Hispanic Americans are dedicated public servants,
holding posts at the highest levels of government, including
1 seat on the Supreme Court, 1 seat in the Senate, 28 seats
in the House of Representatives, and 2 seats in the Cabinet;
and
Whereas Hispanic Americans harbor a deep commitment to
family and community, an enduring work ethic, and a
perseverance to succeed and contribute to society: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
from September 15, 2010, through October 15, 2010;
(2) esteems the integral role of Latinos and their manifold
heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United
States; and
(3) urges the people of the United States to observe
Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate programs and
activities that appreciate the cultural contributions of
Latinos to American life.
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