[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5170-S5171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, every year since 1988, we have honored the 
achievements of the Latino community in the United States through 
Hispanic Heritage Month. My friend and mentor, Senator Paul Simon, was 
part of the effort to establish this important time to honor the 
contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities throughout American 
history, filled with stories of inspiration and courage. Today, I 
continue Paul's work by taking the time to honor this rich history and 
celebrate the leaders paving the way for a brighter future of this 
Nation.
  Illinois is home to a large and vibrant Latino community. I have had 
the privilege of meeting Latino people from many walks of life, from 
Dreamers who grew up here, to newly arrived refugees fleeing tyranny. 
While their stories all differ, they share common themes of hope, 
resilience, and determination. In their stories, I see my family's 
story. My mother and her family escaped oppression to find freedom here 
in America. Many families have followed that same journey to provide a 
better life in Illinois and across the country. It is not easy to leave 
your home to travel to an unfamiliar place. But with their courage, 
they brought diverse cultures, sharing music, food, traditions, and 
history. The Latino community has made an indelible mark on Illinois 
through small businesses, top-performing Hispanic-serving institutions, 
and beautiful cultural centers and museums.
  Commitment to family is a core tenant of Latino culture and extends 
to care for the community at large, where Latino leaders use their 
talents to help others. Juan and Maria Pedroza emigrated from Mexico in 
1989 to Little Village with their small children. Like the story of 
many families across the country, they, too, came to the United States 
in search of the American dream, doing whatever it took to ensure a 
brighter future for their children. Their children--Juan Manuel Jr., 
Maria Socorro, Gabriela, and Pedro--went on to attend prestigious 
colleges and universities, including Harvard, DePauw, Cornell, and the 
University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Pedro's courage and spirit 
of service led him to serve in then-Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's office--the 
first Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals--DACA--recipient to serve 
in the mayor's office. Pedro recognized the needs of his community and 
answered the call to public service so others could grow and succeed. 
The Pedrozas' success has not come without great sacrifices, similar to 
those that many Latino families have had to make. But through 
extraordinary determination and resilience, they go above and beyond 
out of love of family and community.
  Chicago also is home to a vibrant Puerto Rican community that has 
displayed great resilience in the face of serious challenges. 
Tragically, more than 900,000 Puerto Ricans have lost power in the 
aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. Some areas received more than 30 inches 
of rain and, sadly, this devastation is a trend. Latinos in the United

[[Page S5171]]

States are more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to experience heat 
waves, powerful hurricanes, sea level rises, and floods. It is 
estimated that Hispanic and Latino people are 43 percent more likely to 
live in an area expected to be too hot to work a full day outside due 
to climate change. And communities are responding. Across the United 
States, thousands of people have joined together to help Puerto Rico--
including in Illinois--where the Puerto Rican Agenda is working to 
provide immediate relief to those affected by natural disasters. I 
support their efforts and President Biden's approval of a major 
disaster declaration for Puerto Rico.
  Tackling environmental injustice doesn't end there. Earlier this 
year, activists and community leaders in southeast Chicago raised 
concerns with the development of a metal shredder facility. The Chicago 
Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a 
health impact assessment, finding the metal recycling plant would have 
increased air pollution and negatively impacted the mental health of 
residents. As a result, the city blocked the development. This story is 
not unique to Chicago; Latino communities across the United States have 
mobilized to make their voices heard and protect our communities.
  We also saw this tenacity during the pandemic. Millions of Hispanic 
and Latino people served as frontline workers--treating patients, 
feeding communities, and working around the clock to disinfect schools, 
stores, and health centers at a grave personal cost. Today, Hispanic or 
Latino persons are twice as likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 and 
1.8 times more likely to die from the virus, due to health disparities 
and continuous exposure. We must never forget the contributions they 
made, which have supported our Nation during one of its most difficult 
moments.
  Countless Latino leaders have overcome systemic injustices to succeed 
and inspire the next generation of leaders. As we celebrate Hispanic 
Heritage Month, we recognize the value the Latino community brings to 
our country through its work and culture. Resilience and love shine 
through in all that the community does and will continue to make us a 
stronger country for years to come.

                          ____________________