[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 4, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S6313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    National Hispanic Heritage Month

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I want to speak today with regard to a 
month we set aside--or I should say the equivalent of a month that 
spans two different months--as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
  As many know, the United States is home to more than 56 million 
people of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, comprising over 17 percent of 
the Nation's total population. We set aside September 15 to October 15 
to mark National Hispanic Heritage Month. This month is a reminder of 
the vibrant culture and substantial contributions that people of the 
Hispanic community have made to our Nation. Although we have only a 30-
day time period as a designation, we recognize the contributions made 
by Latinos in this country every day, not just between September 15 and 
October 15.
  I have held a number of meetings with Latinos and Latino leaders this 
past year in Pennsylvania and here in Washington and recently just a 
couple weeks ago, as well, to discuss issues of concern to Hispanic 
Americans and Latinos. The resounding theme I heard from Pennsylvanians 
is the strong economic drive that Latinos and Hispanic Americans share.
  As the second fastest growing minority in the United States, the 
Hispanic community's economic power continues to grow. Small businesses 
are the backbone of our economy both in Pennsylvania and across the 
Nation. Latinos are 1.4 times more likely than the general population 
to become entrepreneurs. In fact, Latinos own some 3.3 million 
businesses in the United States, accounting for more than 40 percent of 
all minority-owned businesses. Together, these businesses generate 
almost $500 billion in economic activity. Overall, the Latino community 
accounts for a combined $1.3 trillion in economic activity. Their 
contributions are projected to top $1.7 trillion by 2020--from $1.3 to 
$1.7 trillion in just a few years.
  Last month, I was proud to join many of my Senate colleagues in 
designating the week beginning September 18 as National Hispanic-
Serving Institutions Week. This resolution recognizes the achievements 
and goals of the 472 Hispanic-serving institutions, known by the 
acronym HSI. These HSIs are throughout the Nation, and they improve 
their local communities and play a vital role in expanding access to 
college for students across the country. These HSIs represent 13 
percent of nonprofit colleges and universities. Yet they enroll 63 
percent of all Latino students. These Hispanic-serving institutions are 
located in 18 States and Puerto Rico. I am proud to be a cosponsor of 
the resolution which recognizes the important work these institutions 
play in expanding access to higher education for everyone.

  This year, Hispanic Heritage Month has become a month of advocacy and 
action. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Dream Act. This issue 
has been on the forefront in recent discussions, not only among the 
Latino community, the Hispanic-American community but with many of my 
constituents across the board, and I am sure that is true in every 
Senate office. Dreamers shared with me the hard work and struggles they 
have endured to be successful in this country. Ending DACA, in my 
judgment, is wrong. First of all, it is wrong to break a sacred promise 
to hundreds of thousands of people living in our country, young people 
who were promised by their government, if they came forward, they would 
be protected. Ending DACA would be breaking that sacred promise.
  In Pennsylvania alone, estimates say that ending DACA would cost the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nearly $357 million per year in GDP losses 
to our State, and that is according to the Center for American 
Progress. Ending DACA would result in the loss of $460.3 billion--not 
million but billion--from the Nation's GDP over the next decade, again 
according to the Center for American Progress.
  So it would be a betrayal to violate this covenant with hundreds of 
thousands of young people, and it is really a bad move for the economy 
of my State of Pennsylvania and the economy of our Nation.
  I was proud to vote for the DREAM Act in both 2007 and 2010, and I 
hope the Senate will have a clean vote on the Dream Act soon. We should 
be focused on humane and commonsense solutions that keep our Nation 
safe as well as allowing it to thrive. Hispanic Americans are a vital 
part of the fabric of American society.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.