[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19759]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 19759]]

                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this autumn from September 15th to October


15th, we commemorate the Nation's 33rd Hispanic Heritage Month. In 
1968, Congress designated a week to celebrate Hispanic culture 
nationally. Twenty years later in 1988, the week-long festivity was 
transformed into a month-long variety of activities aimed at raising 
national awareness of the tradition and achievement of Hispanics in 
America.
  In that spirit I would like to recognize the initiating force behind 
this celebration, Gil Coronado. Colonel Coronado envisioned a week-long 
celebration of culture and pride and as founder and chairman of 
``Heroes and Heritage: Saluting a Legacy of Hispanic Patriotism and 
Pride'' a non-profit organization, set forth to make his dream a 
reality. A hero himself, Colonel Coronado enlisted with the Air Force 
at age 16 and would serve for 30 years in Vietnam, Panama, Germany and 
Spain before he retired with over 35 awards including the Legion of 
Merit and the Bronze Star. Hispanic Americans like Colonel Coronado, 
have risen to the call of duty, defending the liberty and freedom the 
United States stands for, just as they continue to do so today in our 
armed services.
  Hispanic contributions to our culture and society go back almost 500 
years, to when Juan Ponce de Leon first arrived in Florida in 1513. His 
fellow explorers like Alvarez de Pinela and Cabeza de Vaca would 
traverse what is now the American ``Sunbelt.'' In fact, the arrival of 
De Soto in Mississippi in 1541 is commemorated in one of the great 
historical canvases in the Rotunda of the Capitol building in which we 
work.
  Today, Hispanics continue to be pioneers in our society. Fernando 
Bujones was 19 when he became the first American to win a gold medal at 
the 1972 International Ballet Competition in Varma Bulgaria. Mari Luci 
Jamarillo would be appointed by President Jimmy Carter as the 
Ambassador to Honduras in 1977, distinguishing her as the first woman 
ambassador of Hispanic descent.
  I would also like to make special note of two people affiliated with 
my home state of Michigan. In 1990, Antonia Novello became the first 
female Hispanic U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Novello started her medical 
career at University of Michigan where she was named ``Intern of the 
Year,'' the first woman to ever receive such an award. Detroit would 
also be the starting point for Jose Feliciano's musical career. A 
native of Puerto Rico, Feliciano was born blind, but he mastered 
multiple instruments like the 6 and 12 string guitars, the bass, banjo, 
mandolin, organ, bongo drums, piano, harpsichord, harmonica and 
trumpet. He would achieve stardom with his Latin-soul version of 
``Light My Fire.'' However, he would gain even more popularity with his 
unorthodox blues-rock rendition of ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' during 
the 1968 World Series game in Detroit.
  These are just a few outstanding examples of Hispanic contributions 
to American society. It is a pleasure for me to stand today with my 
Senate colleagues as we continue to recognize the contributions of our 
Hispanic community during National Hispanic Heritage month.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of this year's 
Hispanic Heritage Month, commemorated annually between September 15 and 
October 15. This celebration is an opportunity to honor a community 
devoted to family, faith, country and hard work. It is also a 
demonstration of patriotism as we appreciate the diversity from which 
our country derives its strength.
  This month, and all year, we honor the courage, talent, 
determination, leadership and vision of Hispanic men, women and 
children who have done so much for our Nation in the face of incredible 
obstacles. We also honor the rich culture and heritage of the Chicano/
Latino community and the tremendous gifts the community has given to 
our country.
  Our greatness lies in the diversity of our beliefs as well as in the 
strength of our common ideals. The history of our country, its values 
and beliefs, are thus intertwined with the Chicano/Latino community.
  In acknowledging the rich heritage of the Chicano/Latino community, I 
would like particularly to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of 
four Chicano/Latino institutions in my State of Minnesota. Their 
efforts have helped shape the social, economic and political landscape 
of their vibrant community as well as the community at large.
  The Chicanos Latinos Unidos en Servicio, CLUES, has provided critical 
services to advance the Chicano/Latino community. Founded in 1981 in 
St. Paul to provide culturally appropriate and bilingual mental health 
services, CLUES has just opened a new office in Minneapolis that 
provides mental health, chemical health, education, employment and 
elder wellness programs.
  The Chicano Latino Affairs Council, CLAC, advises the Government and 
State legislature on issues of importance to the Minnesota Chicano/
Latino community. CLAC consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor 
of Minnesota from all different levels of government. The CLAC educates 
the legislature, the general public, the media, and agency heads on the 
contributions of Chicano/Latinos and the issues facing the community.
  In addition, Minnesota has funded a bi-lingual charter school, El 
Colegio, designed to improve the achievement of high school students. 
Its mission is to engage students in experiences that help them find 
meaning and purpose in their lives. This experimental education uses 
Hispanic, Chicano and Mexican perspectives to study art, environment 
and technology. The school helps students take pride in who they are 
and in what they can do for American society. One student, David Juanez 
is currently helping me with legislation which would allow States to 
create permanent resident status for undocumented students in good 
standing, enabling them to receive state funding when applying to 
college. This is only an example of what these students can do when 
given the opportunity.
  A further great contribution to the Chicano/Latino community has been 
the opening of Mercado Central in August, 1999 and its ongoing 
operation since then. The market features 45 Latino merchants offering 
authentic foods, housewares, gifts, and groceries. The entrepreneurs 
that have opened this market have changed the face of Minneapolis' Lake 
Street forever. Its addition is a celebration of the Hispanic, Chicano, 
and Mexican community here in Minnesota.
  At a time when we are faced with national challenge, we must strive 
even more to continue building a society in which people of diverse 
backgrounds are valued for the richness of their contributions. I hope 
that we can use this special occasion of Hispanic Heritage Month to 
bring the American people closer together.

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