[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6632-S6633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 582--RECOGNIZING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AND 
 CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF LATINOS IN THE UNITED STATES 
     AND THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATINOS TO THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Cornyn, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. 
Begich, Mr. Heller, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mrs. 
Hagan, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Crapo, Mr. 
Merkley, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Whitehouse, 
Mr. Durbin, Mr. Rubio, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Casey, Mr. Inouye, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mr. Reed, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Wyden, Mr. 
Warner, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Brown of Ohio, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted 
the following resolution; which was:

                              S. Res. 582

       Whereas beginning on September 15, 2012, through October 
     15, 2012, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage 
     Month;
       Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population 
     in the United States at over 52,000,000 people, making 
     Hispanic Americans the largest racial or ethnic minority 
     group within the United States overall and in 25 individual 
     States;
       Whereas Latinos accounted for over \1/2\ of all population 
     growth from July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2011;
       Whereas the Hispanic population in the United States is 
     projected to grow to 132,800,000 by July 1, 2050, at which 
     point the Hispanic population will comprise 30 percent of the 
     total population in the United States;
       Whereas nearly 1 in 4 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 16.5 percent of all college students between the 
     age of 18 and 24 years old are Hispanics, making Hispanics 
     the largest racial or ethnic minority group on college 
     campuses in the United States, including both 2-year 
     community colleges and 4-year colleges and universities;
       Whereas the purchasing power of Hispanic Americans was 
     $1,000,000,000,000 in 2010 and is expected to grow 50 percent 
     to $1,500,000,000 by 2015;
       Whereas there are approximately 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 as of June 2012, nearly 25,000,0000 Hispanic 
     workers represented 16 percent of the total labor force in 
     the United States, with the share of Latino labor force 
     participation expected to grow to 18 percent by 2018;
       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 as of July 2012, 143,054 Hispanic active duty 
     service members served with distinction in the United States 
     Armed Forces in fiscal year 2012;
       Whereas as of June 30, 2012, there were 19,752 Hispanics 
     serving in Afghanistan;
       Whereas as of May 7, 2012, 645 United States military 
     fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan have been Hispanic;
       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 even 
     though Hispanics comprised only 4.5 percent of the United 
     States population at the time;
       Whereas 140,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean War;
       Whereas as of September 2012, there are approximately 
     1,300,000 living Hispanic veterans of the United States Armed 
     Forces;
       Whereas 44 Hispanic Americans have received the 
     Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in 
     action against an

[[Page S6633]]

     enemy force that can be bestowed on 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, 2 seats in the Senate, 29 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, 2012, through October 15, 2012;
       (2) esteems the integral role of Latinos and the manifold 
     heritage of Latinos 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.

                          ____________________