[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL HISPANIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National 
Hispanic American Heritage Month. For more than 500 years, and long 
before the founding of the Republic, Hispanic Americans have made 
significant contributions to American life and culture.
  Hispanic Heritage week was formerly proposed by President Lyndon 
Johnson in 1968 and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to 
cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 
15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of 
Public Law 100-402.
  The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary 
of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile 
celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, 
respectively.
  In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the 
diversity throughout the United States with a variety of festivities 
across the country, including parades, festivals, art exhibits, and 
musical performances.
  Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our country 
through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and 
service. They have enhanced and shaped our national character with 
centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural 
customs of their communities.
  Hispanics have played a vital role in the moments and movements that 
have shaped our country. They have enriched our culture and brought 
creativity and innovation to everything from sports to the sciences and 
from the arts to our economy.
  The Hispanic community is an integral part of our country's rich 
history and economic well-being. According to most recent data 
Hispanic-owned businesses have generated $351 billion in economic 
output towards the U.S. economy, along with creating 1.9 million jobs.
  As the Member of Congress from the 18th Congressional District of 
Texas, I am honored to represent a district rich in cultural and ethnic 
diversity and with a substantial Hispanic population.
  Mr. Speaker, Texas is home to more than 10 million Hispanic residents 
and there are 938,882 Hispanics in Houston, comprising 43.4% of the 
city's population, the third largest number of Hispanics of any city in 
the nation.
  The projected population of Hispanics in the United States in 2060 is 
estimated to be 128.8 million. According to this projection, the 
Hispanic population will constitute 31 percent of the nation's 
population by that date.
  Hispanics are greatly diverse people. They come from different 
countries bringing different cultures, language dialects and customs 
Hispanics have enriched our Union and shaped our character. Hispanics 
are hardworking individuals that try to better themselves but never 
forget their upbringings.
  Hispanic Americans continue to impact every sector of our country, 
and are leading officials in all aspects of American life. Many 
Hispanic Americans serve as elected officials, members of the armed 
forces, police officers, judges, teachers, construction workers, 
business men and women, artists, athletes, and civic leaders.
  A source of special pride to me is that Texas is the home state of 11 
Hispanic recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  Many contemporary Hispanic Americans have risen to occupy some of the 
most important positions in the nation, including U.S. Supreme Court 
Justice Sonia Sotomayor; Labor Secretary Tom Perez; U.S. Senators 
Robert Menendez and Ted Cruz, White House Domestic Policy Director 
Cecelia Munoz; and my colleagues in the Texas House delegation, 
Congressmen Ruben Hinojosa, Henry Cuellar, Joaquin Castro, Beto 
O'Rourke, Pete Gallego, and Filemon Vela.
  As the Hispanic community continues to enrich American society, I 
urge all Americans to take time during this month to commemorate the 
contributions of Hispanic Americans in shaping the United States.
  The best way to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month is to continue 
cherishing and respecting the ethnic and cultural diversity that 
strengthens and enhances our nation.
  We celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month to continually honor 
the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans to our nation.
  Celebrating the National Hispanic Heritage helps keep a vivid image 
of all the hard work Hispanic individuals accomplished throughout 
history.
  I encourage all Americans to join me in marking this important 
occasion.

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