[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18721-18722]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 18721]]

                      HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 2001

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise to celebrate our Nation's 33rd 
Hispanic Heritage Month, which commemorates Hispanic Americans and 
their contributions to the strength of our Nation in the past, present, 
and future.


  Congress started the tradition of Hispanic Heritage Month in 1968 
with the National Hispanic Heritage Week, and expanded the annual 
celebration to a month-long event in 1989. This year, the month follows 
the terrorist attacks on our country on September 11. More than ever, 
it is essential to take this opportunity to recognize the many 
hardworking Hispanic Americans who have helped make our country great 
and will continue to do so throughout our future. Our country stands 
united, with Americans of Central and South American descent standing 
alongside Americans with roots from all over the world.
  There are many shining examples of Hispanic Americans who have stood 
up for our country and communities in times of war and peace. Ancestors 
of present-day Hispanics sacrificed or risked their lives throughout 
the many years of North American history that led to our country's 
beginning. Hispanic Americans have served the United States in every 
war since World War I. Many Hispanic American service members have 
earned distinction in our military, such as Emilio A. De La Garza, who 
entered the U.S. Marine Corps in Illinois and was awarded the Medal of 
Honor, America's highest decoration for valor.
  In Silvis, IL, there is a monument to eight heroes of Mexican-
American descent who gave their lives in defense of this nation. The 
street the monument is on was once called Second Street USA, but it is 
now called Hero Street USA. The street's name honors 84 men from the 22 
families on one small block of this street participated in World War 
II, Korea and Vietnam. Many of them grew up on this street, some 
working for the railroad as their fathers did in Mexico. Today the 
street serves as a remembrance of those who courageously served our 
country.
  Other Hispanic Americans stand up for their communities on a daily 
basis. Whether serving in our town councils, fire departments, or 
police departments, they are always working to advance our safety and 
quality of life. These local heroes include Raymond Orozco, who led the 
Chicago Fire Department with distinction until his recent retirement, 
and Jaime Gonzalez, the first Hispanic police officer in Elgin, IL.
  Hispanic Americans also have enhanced our national prosperity and 
will continue to play an important role in our economy. A study by the 
National Academy of Sciences found that the Latino community 
contributes about $10 billion to the U.S. economy per year. According 
to the Census, Hispanics owned about 1.2 million nonfarm businesses in 
1997, employing over 1.3 million people and generating $186.3 billion 
in business. The Small Business Administration tells us that minority 
and women-owned businesses are the most rapidly growing segments of the 
business community, and the number of Hispanic-owned businesses has 
increased by over 600 percent over the past 20 years. Female Latino-
owned businesses are growing faster than any other segment of business 
owners. According to the Center for Women's Business Research, two-
thirds of Latina entrepreneurs came into business ownership not by 
purchasing, inheriting or acquiring a business, but by starting their 
own. These are women like Chicagoan Sonia Archer, who, while raising a 
child, founded a home-based business marketing discounted legal 
services for people who cannot afford attorneys' fees. Stories like 
Sonia's illustrate how Hispanic Americans bring great innovation and 
success to our economy.
  A wide array of talented Hispanic Americans enrich arts and athletics 
in our country. In the literary world, Sandra Cisneros brings us 
powerful, eloquent stories of young women growing up in communities in 
Chicago, or on the Mexican border, that are full of challenges and 
beauty. Tito Puente, known as ``El Rey'' or The King of Mambo, 
delighted audiences around the world with his musical gifts, using the 
timbal, vibraphone, trap drums, conga drums, claves, piano, saxophone, 
and clarinet. Hispanic Americans have also brought tremendous talent to 
America's pastime: baseball. Among the earlier figures was Roberto 
Clemente, who played right-field for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 
to 1972, and won four National League batting titles, twelve Golden 
Glove awards, and the title of National League's Most Valuable Player 
in 1966. Then there is Nomar Garciaparra, who in 1997 set several 
rookie records during what Baseball Weekly called the greatest rookie 
season in history. Today we have Sammy Sosa, who is outfielder for the 
Chicago Cubs and the only player in the history of baseball to hit 60 
home runs in each of three different seasons.
  As we take time to reflect upon the strength Hispanic Americans bring 
to our country, we must also remember that many Latinos face challenges 
in our society. Fair and equal treatment of all Americans is a 
cornerstone of our society and our political system. Unfortunately, 
despite great progress, the struggle for civil rights and equal 
treatment under the law continues today for many citizens, including 
our fellow Hispanic Americans.
  A time of national crisis reminds us that we must unite against hate 
and bigotry. I support several key bills that would bring us closer to 
this goal. First, I hope to see passage of the Local Law Enforcement 
Enhancement Act of 2001, also known as the hate crimes bill. Among 
other things, this legislation would expand current Federal protections 
against hate crimes based on race, religion, and national origin; 
authorize grants for programs designed to combat and prevent hate 
crimes; and enable the Federal Government to assist State and local law 
enforcement in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes. I have also 
introduced the Reasonable Search Standards Act, which would prohibit 
United States Customs Service personnel working at our borders and in 
our airports from searching or detaining individuals solely based on 
their race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation. 
Finally, I am cosponsoring the End Racial Profiling Act, which would 
make profiling by any law enforcement agent or agency a crime 
prosecutable in any State court of general jurisdiction or in a 
District Court of the United States; and would require Federal, State, 
and local law enforcement agencies receiving Federal grants to maintain 
adequate policies and procedures designed to eliminate racial 
profiling. I believe these measures take important steps toward 
preventing discrimination and violence based on race and ethnicity.
  There are currently 31.5 million Hispanic Americans living in the 
United States, and Hispanic Americans comprise 35 percent of the 
population under the age of 18. Sadly, only 57 percent of Latino 
students complete high school and only 10.6 percent earn a bachelor's 
degree. We can do better. This year Congress has worked with the 
administration to facilitate real education reform based on high 
standards and meaningful accountability measures. As we work to raise 
the bar for students and teachers, we must also ensure that schools 
across the country have adequate resources to hire and train teachers 
and principals, help all students attain fluency in English, integrate 
technology effectively in the classroom, and provide children with 
enriching after-school activities. I support the 21st Century Higher 
Education Initiative, which will substantially expand college 
opportunity through student aid, early intervention efforts, and more 
resources to strengthen minority-serving institutions. I also 
introduced the Children's Adjustment, Relief, and Education, CARE, Act 
to enable immigrant children to fulfill their potential and pursue 
higher education on the same terms as other children.
  According to the 2000 Census, 60 percent of Latinos in this Nation 
are natives of the United States. Whether Hispanic Americans were born 
here or moved to our country later in life, most of them feel the 
impact of immigration policy. Many live in immigrant families or 
communities, and many, like most Americans, have strong memories of or 
connections to our immigrant heritage. I support reforming immigration 
laws to ensure the due process rights of immigrants, so that

[[Page 18722]]

they are guaranteed fairness in our courts and are not unnecessarily 
detained for indefinite periods. We also need to enhance the efficiency 
and accountability of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. 
Finally, it is essential to protect the safety of our Nation's 
immigrants and their due process rights at our borders, while enforcing 
our immigration laws and protecting our national security.


  Hispanic Heritage Month in 2001 gives us an opportunity to deepen our 
understanding, appreciation, and common bonds with each other. It also 
gives us pause, reminding us of the American ideals we must continue to 
fight for. The challenges that we face in Congress and our Nation are 
not insurmountable. Together, we can stand up for the rights of all 
Americans, including our Hispanic American friends. And together, we 
can recognize how our diverse cultures and talents contribute to our 
collective strength as Americans.

                          ____________________