[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 131 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5590-S5591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 545--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. Rubio, Mr. 
Begich, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. 
Gillibrand, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Markey, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
Nelson, Mr. Reed, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. 
Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Warner, and Ms. Warren) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 545

       Whereas from September 15, 2014 through October 15, 2014, 
     the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;
       Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population 
     in the United States at over 54,000,000 people, making 
     Hispanic Americans 17 percent of the population of the United 
     States and the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the 
     United States;
       Whereas Hispanic Americans are also the largest racial or 
     ethnic minority group in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and 
     22 individual States: Arizona, California, Colorado, 
     Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, 
     Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 
     New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, 
     Washington, and Wyoming;
       Whereas in 2013, there were 1,000,000 or more Latino 
     residents in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and each of the 
     following 8 States: 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, 2012 and July 1, 2013, accounting 
     for nearly half of all population growth during this period;
       Whereas the Latino population in the United States is 
     projected to grow to 128,800,000 by 2060, at which point the 
     Latino population will comprise 31 percent of the total 
     United States population;
       Whereas the Latino population in the United States is 
     currently the second-largest worldwide, exceeding the size of 
     the Latino population in every country except Mexico;
       Whereas there were 11,900,000 Latino family households in 
     the United States in 2013, and Latino children under the age 
     of 18 represent approximately \1/3\ of the total Latino 
     population in the United States;
       Whereas 1 in 4 public school students in the United States 
     is Latino, and the total number of school-age Latino children 
     in the United States is expected to reach 28,000,000 by 2050;
       Whereas 18 percent of all college students between the ages 
     of 18 and 24 years old are Latino, making Latinos 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 an estimated 23,500,000 Latinos are eligible to 
     vote in the 2014 midterm elections, and the number of 
     eligible Latino voters is expected to rise to 40,000,000 by 
     2030;
       Whereas more than 2,000 Latino citizens turn 18 and become 
     eligible to vote every day, and an average of 900,000 Latino 
     citizens will turn 18 and become eligible to vote every year 
     between 2014 and 2028;
       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 more than 3,200,000 Hispanic-owned firms 
     in the United States, supporting millions of employees 
     nationwide and contributing more than $468,000,000,000 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 Latino entrepreneurs starting businesses at more than 
     twice the national rate;
       Whereas as of August 2014, more than 25,000,0000 Latino 
     workers represented 16.3 percent of the total civilian labor 
     force in the United States, and the share of Latino labor 
     force participation is expected to grow to 19.1 percent by 
     2022;
       Whereas Latinos have the highest labor force participation 
     rate of any racial or ethnic group at 66 percent, compared to 
     62.8 percent overall;

[[Page S5591]]

       Whereas in 2013, there were 298,000 Latino elementary and 
     middle school teachers, 65,000 Latino chief executives of 
     businesses, 55,000 Latino lawyers, and 35,000 Latino 
     physicians and surgeons contributing to the United States 
     through their professions;
       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, 2014, 163,636 Hispanic active duty 
     service members served with distinction in the Armed Forces 
     of the United States;
       Whereas as of July 31, 2014, a total of 88,709 Hispanics 
     had served in Afghanistan;
       Whereas as of September 2014, 675 United States military 
     fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan were 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 2014, there are an estimated 
     1,386,000 Hispanic veterans of the Armed Forces of the United 
     States;
       Whereas 61 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, 33 seats 
     in the House of Representatives, and 3 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, 2014 through October 15, 2014;
       (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 contributions of Latinos to 
     American life.

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