[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 173 (Monday, October 5, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, it has been said that the United States is 
like a brilliant tapestry woven from a dazzling array of colors and 
patterns into a unique whole. If that is true, then the contributions 
of Hispanics are surely among the largest and most vibrant swaths in 
our rich national tapestry, and Hispanic Heritage Month is a good time 
to reflect on those contributions.
  This celebration runs each year from mid-September to mid-October. 
The dates were chosen to coincide with the dates in which several Latin 
American nations--including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile--celebrate their own 
independence from colonial rule. This national celebration used to be 
just a week long, but in 1988, Congress wisely and unanimously voted to 
expand Hispanic Heritage Week to Hispanic Heritage Month. The 
legislation was sponsored by Congressman Esteban Torres and my friend 
and political mentor, Senator Paul Simon. It was signed into law by 
President Ronald Reagan, a proud, conservative Republican who 
understood that America's heritage as a nation of immigrants is one of 
our greatest sources of strength--economically, politically, culturally 
and morally.
  The contributions and influence of Latinos on our Nation has grown 
dramatically in the three decades since the establishment of Hispanic 
Heritage Month. Today there are more than 60 million Latinos in the 
U.S. Illinois is proud to be home to one of the largest Latino 
populations in the country, including many people of Mexican, Puerto 
Rican, and Guatemalan heritage. Latinos and Latinas are leaders in 
every walk of life, including business, the arts, sciences, education, 
sports, entertainment, and public service. A ``wise Latina,'' Justice 
Sonia Sotomayor, now serves on the U.S. Supreme Court. Ellen Ochoa, an 
engineer and the first Latina astronaut, is now director of NASA's 
Johnson Space Center. Latinas are literally helping America reach for 
the stars.
  In my home State of Illinois, Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr., is the president 
of the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, based in Chicago. He and his 
organization are doing critical work to educate and motivate Latinos to 
vote and to fill out the Census, ensuring that Latinos are seen and 
their voices heard. Alexis Esparza is president of Economic Strategies 
Development Corporation. For nearly half a century, his organization, 
ESDC, has worked in the Pilsen community of Chicago to preserve 
historic buildings, build affordable new housing, and help create new 
commercial and industrial economic development opportunities. They are 
part of a long and proud tradition of Hispanic men and women whose work 
has made America's economy more prosperous and fairer for all of us.
  Many Americans know the names Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. In 
1966, these two brave labor leaders helped organize farm workers in 
Delano, CA, to form the United Farm Workers of America. Standing 
together, backed by their union, the farm workers were able to strike 
for higher wages, safer working conditions, and protections for women 
farm workers from sexual violence.
  Far fewer people recognize the name Guadalupe Marshall. She is also a 
hero for workers' rights. Let me tell you about her. On Memorial Day 
1937, 10 unarmed union demonstrators from Republic Steele were shot 
down by police in Chicago. Lupe Marshall, who had immigrated to America 
from Mexico when she was 10 years old, was one of the people attending 
that strike. She was a mother of three and a volunteer social worker at 
the Jane Addams Hull House. The ``Memorial Day Massacre'' is how many 
history books label the carnage at Republic Steele. Three weeks after 
the killings, Lupe Marshall travelled to Washington, DC, to testify 
before the Senate about what she had witnessed.
  She described placing herself on the front line when shots rang out 
and then turning to see many people lying face down on the ground. She 
ran, but she was clubbed in the head and arrested. Her courage helped 
to build support among the American people and in Congress for laws to 
help working people stand together for fair wages, safe working 
conditions, and civil rights.
  During this Hispanic Heritage Month, we are especially aware of the 
enormous contributions that Hispanic Americans continue to make to 
America's economy. Sadly, we know that this COVID-19 pandemic is taking 
a disproportionate toll on Black and Brown Americans. Nationwide, 
Latinos are being hospitalized with COVID-19 at more than 4\1/2\ times 
the rate of White people. In Illinois and several other States, Latinos 
have the highest COVID-19 infection rates of any ethnic group. COVID-19 
is also threatening the livelihoods of Latinos throughout the US. 
Almost 60 percent of Latino households have experienced job loss or 
wage reductions during this pandemic.
  At the same time, our Nation is relying heavily on Latinos, both 
citizens and immigrants, to help steer us safely through this pandemic. 
Latinos are working on the frontlines of this pandemic as doctors, 
nurses, and home healthcare workers. They are also working around the 
clock, behind the scenes, to disinfect our workplaces, schools, stores, 
and health centers. Latino farm workers continue to work in the fields 
and in packing plants, harvesting, and preparing the food that keeps us 
fed. Despite the virus and, now, the thick smoke of wildfires 
blanketing much of the west coast, they remain on the job.
  Latinos are working as grocery clerks, teachers, postal employees, 
servicemembers, and other ``essential worker jobs.'' Many of these 
heroic essential workers are immigrants, and many are Dreamers. They 
continue to work and serve in their communities while their own status 
remains in limbo.
  Latino-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of 
America's economy. Nationwide, nearly 1-in-4 newly created businesses 
today are Latino-owned. More than 4 million Latino-owned businesses 
provide jobs for 2.7 million workers. Together, these businesses pump 
over $700 billion into America's economy. In Illinois, 120,000 Latino-
owned businesses generate $15 billion and create jobs for 100,000 
workers. These passionate entrepreneurs are the heart and pride of 
their communities. I see them in communities all across Illinois. Let 
me tell you about some of them.
  In Chicagoland, Latino community and business leaders have created 
programs such as the Food for Hope Program and the Big Shoulders Fund 
to distribute free food to families who are hungry because of economic 
hardships related to the pandemic.
  Pedro Perez owns his own maintenance company, PCY General Services. 
He and his daughter are part of a team that diligently disinfects 
Esperanza Health Centers on the Southwest Side of Chicago to make sure 
that the space is safe for families and for the medical professionals 
who work there. What is even more remarkable is that he does all of 
this without charge. Why? Pedro says, with a smile, because ``it's his 
community.'' Every day, in every community in Illinois and every corner 
of America, you can find stories like theirs.
  The beauty and richness of the Latino community goes beyond food and 
traditions. At the heart of the Latino community is an exceptionally 
resilient spirit that has sustained them through history and is helping 
to sustain America today through the most severe health and economic 
crises most of us has ever experienced. I am honored to represent so 
many of these hard-working families in my State and look forward to see 
how they continue to inspire us to keep building a better America for 
everyone.

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