[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    SENATE RESOLUTION 246--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, Mr. Begich, Mr. 
Bennet, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Coons, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Hagan, 
Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Reed, Mr. Rubio, 
Mr. Schumer, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Udall of New 
Mexico, Mr. Warner, Mr. Brown, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Heller, Mr. Casey, Ms. 
Warren, Mr. Enzi, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 246

       Whereas from September 15, 2013 through October 15, 2013, 
     the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;
       Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population 
     in the United States at over 53,000,000 people, making 
     Hispanic Americans the largest racial or ethnic minority 
     group in the United States overall and in 21 individual 
     States;
       Whereas the United States Hispanic population is ranked 2nd 
     worldwide, exceeding the size of every country except Mexico;
       Whereas 8 States in the United States had 1,000,000 or more 
     Latino residents in 2012, inlcuding Arizona, California, 
     Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Texas;
       Whereas Latinos grew the United States population by 
     1,100,000 between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012, accounting 
     for nearly half of all population growth during this period;
       Whereas the Hispanic population in the United States is 
     projected to grow to 128,800,000 by 2060, at which point the 
     Hispanic population will comprise 31 percent of the total 
     United States population, which is nearly double the 2012 
     percentage;
       Whereas 1 in 4 public school students in the United States 
     is Hispanic, and the total number of school-age Hispanic 
     children in the United States is expected to reach 28,000,000 
     by 2050;
       Whereas 19 percent of all college students between the ages 
     of 18 and 24 years old are Hispanic, 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 a record 11,200,000 Latinos voted in the 2012 
     presidential election, representing a record 8.4 percent of 
     the electorate in the United States;
       Whereas the annual purchasing power of Hispanic Americans 
     is an estimated $1,200,000,000,000 and is expected to grow to 
     $1,500,000,000,000 by 2015;
       Whereas there are approximately 3,000,000 Hispanic-owned 
     firms in the United States, supporting millions of employees 
     nationwide and contributing more than $500,000,000,000 in 
     revenue to the economy of the United States;
       Whereas Hispanic-owned businesses represent the fastest-
     growing segment of small businesses in the United States, 
     with Hispanic entrepreneurs starting businesses at more than 
     double the national rate;
       Whereas as of August 2013, nearly 25,000,0000 Hispanic 
     workers represented 16 percent of the total civilian labor 
     force in the United States and the share of Latino labor 
     force participation is expected to grow to 18.5 percent by 
     2020;
       Whereas Latinos have the highest labor force participation 
     rate of any racial or ethnic group (66.3 percent compared to 
     63.2 percent overall);
       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 31, 2013, 162,717 Hispanic active duty 
     service members served with distinction in the Armed Forces 
     of the United States;
       Whereas as of June 30, 2013, a total of 82,343 Hispanics 
     had served in Afghanistan;
       Whereas as of September 2013, 668 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 the United States in the conflict, 
     even though Hispanics comprised only 4.5 percent of the 
     population of the United States at the time;
       Whereas 140,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean War;
       Whereas as of September 2013, there are an estimated 
     1,377,000 Hispanic veterans of the Armed Forces of the United 
     States;
       Whereas 44 Hispanic Americans have received the 
     Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in 
     action against an enemy force that can be bestowed on an 
     individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States;
       Whereas Hispanic Americans are dedicated public servants, 
     holding posts at the highest levels of government, including 
     1 seat on the Supreme Court, 3 seats in the Senate, 35 seats 
     in the House of Representatives, and 1 seat 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, 2013 through October 15, 2013;
       (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 celebrate the cultural contributions of 
     Latinos to American life.

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