[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 19181-19182]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               IN CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 
in America, I believe it is utmost in our minds and hearts to remember 
the horrendous attack on our nation's financial center in New York 
City, and on the Pentagon, on September 11, 2001. Hispanic Americans I 
speak with are anxious to support our nation's every effort to rid this 
world of the incredible evil that carried out such an attack.
  Hispanic Americans have answered our country's call to arms in every 
previous war, and they have distinguished themselves as some of our 
nation's most heroic fighters. As President George W. Bush recently 
reminded us, ``Hispanic Americans served with heroism in every major 
American military conflict.''
  Many of my colleagues might not be aware of the fact that Hispanics 
in World War II were over-represented among Medal of Honor winners. I 
would like to remember two of these distinguished medal winners from 
New Mexico.
  Joseph P. Martinez, born in Taos, New Mexico, gave his life for our 
country during World War II. In the Aleutians, finding himself in snow 
covered trenches, he chose to advance against the enemy in the face of 
severe hostile machine gun, rifle, and mortar fire. His example 
inspired others to advance in this difficult and dangerous climb.
  After successfully and personally silencing several enemy trenches, 
he reached the rim where he was fatally wounded. The U.S. Army 
recognized Joe Martinez's valor beyond the call of duty by awarding him 
the United States Medal of Honor.
  In Vietnam, 22-year old U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class Daniel 
Fernandez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, sacrificed himself to save four 
of his comrades. Fernandez vaulted over his wounded sergeant and threw 
himself on a grenade that was not noticed in time for the men around 
him to save themselves. This action cost him his life. Fernandez also 
received the United States Medal of Honor.
  There are many more stories about Hispanic Medal of Honor winners. 
Our nation is proud to have men and women like these in our ranks.
  This month, I want Americans to remember Hispanic veterans from World 
War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm. I can 
predict with great confidence that Hispanics in every service will earn 
more Medals of Honor, Distinguished Service Crosses, and Silver and 
Bronze Stars for valor in combat.
  If these wartime contributions by Hispanics have been and will 
continue to be remarkable, those made on the homefront through lives 
invested in communities are equally deserving of our recognition and 
gratitude. On August 15, President George W. Bush visited Albuquerque 
for the grand opening of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce's Barelas Job 
Opportunity Center, a facility meant to help tear down barriers faced 
by Hispanics and others in finding employment or starting a new 
business.
  Helping open this business development center, the President drew 
attention to the spirit of the facility, that of citizens asking what 
they could do to improve their community, and what they could do to 
help a neighbor in need. The President accurately and eloquently 
concluded that this was ``the spirit of America, captured right here in 
Albuquerque, New Mexico.''
  I believe our President has it right. I am proud that the lives of 
Hispanic New Mexicans are vital evidence of the spirit of America as 
they invest themselves in families, schools, businesses, and churches. 
And New Mexicans recognize that these modern achievements build on a 
centuries-long legacy of Hispanic history in our state, earning us a 
peerless role in our nation's diversity.
  In New Mexico, we know that Hispanics were on the scene even before 
the Mayflower set sail. The Hispanic influence in New Mexico shaping 
our architecture and culture has been significant since the arrival of 
Spanish explorer Don Juan de Onate near San Juan Pueblo in 1598, 22 
years before the landing at Plymouth Rock.
  When the national media today talks and writes a lot about the recent 
``arrival'' of Hispanics on our national scene, they're recognizing a 
talented, spirited people New Mexico has known for a long time.
  I have mentioned the opening of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of 
Commerce's Barelas Job Opportunity Center, marking the start of its 
important work to rebuild the economic viability of a deteriorated 
neighborhood and increase job opportunity.
  I would like to mention other examples of commitment to community 
around our state, such as the Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce of 
Roswell, New Mexico. This group has been a unifying force in their 
community's economic development issues, and have long supported the 
Character Counts program to see that the six pillars of character, 
Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Fairness, and 
Caring, are taught early in the classroom.
  On September 24, Mr. I. Martin Mercado, President of Mercado 
Construction in Albuquerque, received the national Small Business 
Administration's Minority Small Business Person of the Year Award. The 
son of Mexican

[[Page 19182]]

immigrants, Martin is a wonderful illustration of the American dream, 
and of the important contributions that Hispanic-owned small businesses 
make to our economy.
  Achievements of this kind throughout New Mexico have helped increase 
the number of minority-owned businesses in our state by more than 50 
percent in the last five years. There are now more than 22,000 
Hispanic-owned businesses in New Mexico.
  As Hispanics gain long-overdue national recognition as a force that 
cannot, and should not, be ignored, we are reminded of countless 
stories like those I have mentioned. I believe that there is no better 
time to work for federal policies that ensure that small businesses, 
community organizations, and schools have the support they need to make 
decisions in favor of economic success and strong families. This is the 
spirit of America.
  Finally, I appreciate the opening for a new era in U.S.-Mexico 
relations as Presidents Bush and Fox work to develop a partnership for 
prosperity across our shared border. Both nations have much to gain 
through the implementation of win-win policies on trade, immigration 
and the war on drugs. As we celebrate New Mexico's and America's 
Hispanic heritage, I hope we will continue to capitalize on our common 
ground with Mexico, making the most of new opportunities for trade and 
cooperation with our neighbor.
  New Mexicans regularly enjoy and celebrate the centuries-long 
influence of Hispanic culture and traditions on our society. This month 
in which our nation recognizes the special contributions of Hispanic 
Americans finds our country united as never before to rebuild and 
defend this great land after a devastating attack. This in mind, there 
could be no better time to honor Hispanic Americans for valiantly 
serving the needs of nation and community, defending our freedom, 
bettering our economy, and building strong families, for this is the 
spirit of America.
  New Mexico's largest newspaper recently rendered a broad tribute to 
Hispanic Americans. I ask unanimous consent that this September 23 
Albuquerque Journal article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             [From the Albuquerque Journal, Sept. 23, 2001]

           List a Source of Pride for Hispanics and Americans

                            (By Dan Herrera)

       The national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which 
     for some odd reason runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, has 
     been obscured by the overwhelming shock and sorrow created by 
     the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
       But Hispanic Heritage Month has never been that big a 
     public spectacle, at least in these parts; instead, as 
     elsewhere, the weekend-long beer-company-promoted Cinco de 
     Mayo celebration has taken center stage among Hispanic-
     oriented celebrations.
       In fact, it's hard to find many special Hispanic Heritage 
     Month events in Albuquerque. Most notable is the free 
     Chautauqua series now under way at the National Hispanic 
     Cultural Center. Its opening performance, Jean Jordan as 
     Queen Isabella, had to be delayed because of the attacks on 
     the East Coast. History buffs can still catch several other 
     shows. Call the center at 246-2261 for more information. I 
     had a long conversation the other day with Ruben Salaz, 
     author of ``New Mexico: a Brief Multi-history,'' about 
     Hispanic Heritage Month. He believes New Mexico could reduce 
     its shamefully high Hispanic student dropout rate by putting 
     a greater emphasis in history classes on our state's long, 
     proud past.
       He's got a point. Learning about important figures with 
     names like Juan de Onate, Diego de Vargas and Juan Bautista 
     de Anza, all early governors of the Spanish colony of New 
     Mexico who played especially important roles, alongside names 
     like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln 
     couldn't hurt. Students also might like learning more about 
     historically important Indians like Pope and Cuerno Verde 
     while they're at it.
       New Mexico has always been much more than a stop along the 
     trail ultimately leading to California and Manifest Destiny. 
     But Hispanics also have played important roles in American 
     history outside of New Mexico.
       So, in recognition of this special month, here is an 
     assortment of Americans you may not have known about or may 
     not have known were Hispanic. There was a time not too long 
     ago that nobody was counting, after all.
       Most of the information was compiled using Salaz's 
     information-packed book and another wonderful book called 
     ``Hispanic Firsts: 500 Years of Extraordinary Achievement'' 
     by Nicolas Kanellos, which contains a 372-page listing of 
     accomplishments. Both belong in every library in New Mexico.
       Joseph Hernandez: In 1822, the Whig party member from 
     Florida became the first Hispanic representative in the U.S. 
     Congress.
       Octaviano Larrazolo: A New Mexico Republican, Larrazolo 
     became the first Hispanic U.S. Senator in 1928.
       Dennis Chavez: In 1944, the New Mexico senator, a Democrat, 
     introduced the first Fair Employment Practices bill, which 
     prohibited discrimination because of race, creed or national 
     origin. The bill was defeated, but it was an important step 
     toward the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

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