[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 154 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING HISPANIC MILITARY LEADERS

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                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 14, 2011

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, as our nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage 
Month, I rise to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces, 
particularly Hispanic service members.
  Hispanics have served in the United States military since its 
establishment and have fought in every conflict since the Revolutionary 
War. Forty-four Hispanic Americans have been awarded the military's 
highest honor for bravery. In addition to these Medal of Honor 
recipients, thousands of Hispanics have died in combat defending our 
freedom.
  Beyond the military, Hispanics continue to play an important role in 
every aspect of our society, and their influence is growing. According 
to the 2010 Census, the U.S. Hispanic population surged 43 percent, 
rising to over 50 million up from 35 million in 2000. Latinos now 
constitute16 percent of the nation's total population of 308 million. 
Hispanic population growth accounted for more than half of the nation's 
growth over the past decade.
  The Hispanic population in the military has also grown, but Hispanics 
continue to be under represented in our nation's military forces. 
Despite making up over 17 percent of the population between the ages of 
18 and 40, only 11 percent of the United States Army and the Air Force 
are Hispanic. Hispanics make up 12 percent of the Marine Corps and 14 
percent of the Navy. While these figures are lower than the percentage 
of Hispanics in the general population, they represent a significant 
increase from 1994 when the number of Hispanics entering the Army was 
just 6.6 percent of new recruits.
  Despite recruitment levels lower than the overall population, 
Hispanics are retained in the force and promoted at the same or higher 
rates than other groups. Today, I want to highlight a few outstanding 
Hispanic Americans who have risen to the highest ranks and are serving 
in high profile and critical positions for the defense of our nation.
  General David Rodriguez leads the United States Army's Forces 
Command. As the 19th leader of this critical organization, General 
Rodriguez oversees one of the Army's most important functions, 
preparing forces for deployment to combat.
  Lieutenant General Rhett Hernandez recently stood up the Army's Cyber 
Command, which brings the Army's cyber resources under a single 
command. Under the leadership of General Hernandez, Cyber Command is 
developing and protecting the critical network that links warfighters 
in every battle space.
  Major General Angela Salinas began her military service as an 
enlisted Marine in 1974 and now serves as the Director of the United 
States Marine Corps' Manpower Management Division. In this position, 
she ensures that the Marine Corps has the right mix of forces to 
respond to any contingency worldwide.
  Rear Admiral Samuel Perez serves as the Commander of Carrier Strike 
Group One. Carrier Strike Group One is based in the Pacific and has a 
100 million square-mile area of operations. As a fellow native of 
Canutillo, Texas, I am especially proud of Admiral Perez's leadership 
of this important United States Navy combat formation.
  At every level of our nation's military, Hispanic Americans are 
serving in critical leadership positions. They have demonstrated 
exceptional dedication to their country and their fellow service 
members. They have risked their lives fighting to defend our nation and 
our freedom, and we owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude for 
their sacrifice.

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