[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 23824-23826]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  RECOGNIZING IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 277) recognizing the important 
contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 277

       Whereas the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the United 
     States has had a significant impact among Hispanic 
     businesses, and in the business community in general;
       Whereas the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has served in a 
     key support role, not merely as a business group but also as 
     a civic organization working in the Hispanic-American 
     community; and
       Whereas the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has helped to 
     bring entrepreneurship to the Hispanic community as well as 
     helping to pool the resources and talents of Hispanic 
     American entrepreneurs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that it is 
     important to the promotion of the free market process of the 
     United States, to the future success of Hispanic Americans, 
     and to society at large that the special role of the Hispanic 
     Chamber of Commerce of the United States be recognized and 
     further cultivated to the benefit of all Americans.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin).


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 277.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Louisiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 
277, recognizing the important contributions of the United States 
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

[[Page 23825]]

  The Hispanic community is booming in this country. In fact, it has 
become the fastest-growing segment of our Nation's population; and by 
the year 2010, Hispanics will become the largest minority group in the 
United States and by 2050 will comprise nearly 25 percent of the entire 
U.S. population.
  One sector within the Hispanic community that has been experiencing 
especially rapid growth over the past few years is the small business 
community. At present, it is estimated that there are over 1.5 million 
Hispanic-owned small businesses in the country.
  Created in 1979 by a handful of dedicated Hispanic leaders, the U.S. 
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has helped to realize the enormous 
potential of the Hispanic business community in these United States, 
and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has worked tirelessly to 
bring the issues of the Nation's Hispanic-owned businesses to the 
national economic agenda and drives the engine of economic growth.
  Today, we thank them for increasing their contribution to the 
strength of this country.
  It is a good resolution. My mother, Ms. Enola Martinez Tauzin, 
appreciates it personally; and I urge the House to adopt it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of this resolution, H. Con. Res. 277, which 
recognizes the important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce. The chamber's mission, to actively promote the economic 
growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs, is important to the 
free market process and the success of Hispanic Americans. Especially 
during these times of economic hardship, I fully expect that the 
Hispanic business community will be an engine for growth and recovery 
benefiting our whole economy.
  In the 5-year period from 1992 to 1997, Hispanic businesses across 
the Nation grew about 82 percent. The programs, services and support 
that the chamber continues to offer the more than 200 local chambers 
across this Nation have been integral to the success and vitality of 
these Hispanic businesses.
  I have seen the effects of the chamber's initiatives in my own 10th 
Congressional District in Brooklyn. The Hispanic community has produced 
some of the most exciting entrepreneurial initiatives, enriching 
Brooklyn for all of its residents. From small stores and bodegas to 
supermarkets like Compare Market and ABC Beverages to large 
construction companies like Park Avenue Building and Roofing Supplies, 
Hispanic-owned businesses employ hundreds of residents as well as 
adding to the economic viability of our neighborhoods.
  Since its formation in 1979, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has 
represented the interests of more than 1.2 million Hispanic-owned 
businesses in the United States and Puerto Rico. In addition to its 
annual convention featuring hundreds of domestic and international 
exhibitors, the chamber also supports Hispanic businesses with 
legislative and governmental affairs services, business development and 
marketing services, and active promotion of international trade by 
networking with Latin American governments.
  Through its Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship Initiative, the 
chamber has also established a $20 million venture capital fund and, in 
partnership with the Ford Motor Company, has formed a bilingual 
National Director of Hispanic Businesses. It has also sewn the seeds of 
entrepreneurship by sponsoring programs for Hispanic youth such as 
Bizfest and funding Hispanic scholarship programs.
  The chamber's contributions to the Hispanic business community have 
and will continue to enrich all of our lives. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in giving the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce the recognition that 
it deserves.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 277. I am very pleased to see that we are recognizing the 
important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. As a 
former businessman from the lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, I 
can personally attest to the invaluable assistance that the Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce provides for the Hispanic business community.
  The rapid growth of the Latino population has made our community a 
more crucial part of the American economy than ever before. The 
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has provided the vision and the leadership 
to promote a spirit of entrepreneurship and an ethic of competitiveness 
in the Hispanic business community. It has also served as an effective 
advocate by communicating the community's concerns in the greater 
business and political arena.
  I want to thank the Hispanic Chamber for all of the hard work it has 
put into achieving economic progress for our community, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. In south Texas, we 
are members of the Texas Association of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, 
and we have had lots of meetings and we have had lots of successful 
gatherings, and so that is why I am here to show our support for this 
group.
  Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
277, recognizing the important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce.
  From top-level corporate positions, to Mom and Pop corner stores, 
Hispanics in America make tremendous contributions to the nation. 
Minority owned businesses are growing and creating jobs faster than 
other companies.
  In 1979, realizing the enormous potential of the Hispanic business 
community in the United States and the need for a national organization 
to represent its interests, the United States Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce (USHCC) was incorporated in my home state of New Mexico, 
creating a structured organization aimed at developing a business 
network that would provide the Hispanic community with cohesion and 
strength. Since its inception, the USHCC has worked towards bringing 
the issues and concerns of the nation's more than 1.2 million Hispanic-
owned businesses to the forefront.
  Throughout the years, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce has 
improved the quality of life in the Middle Rio Grande corridor by 
promoting economic and education activities, with an emphasis on small 
business.
  This has also been a great year for the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber 
of Commerce. The Chamber officially opened the doors to their Barelas 
Job Opportunity Center. This center houses a state-of-the-art 
technology lab and will focus on work force development and 
entrepreneur opportunities. The facility is also home to the U.S. Small 
Business Administration Business Information Center and the Senior Corp 
of Retired Executives. This Center is a hub for consultations on how to 
grow a business, start a business, manage a business or capitalize a 
business.
  Over the past 26 years the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce 
has experienced change and growth that would rival any successful 
business. I am grateful to the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce 
for helping to make Albuquerque a better place and improving the 
quality of life in New Mexico.
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I want today to address my resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 277 to recognize the important contributions of the Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Speaker, the United States Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce was founded in New Mexico in 1979. Headquartered in 
Washington, DC the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce currently has a network 
of more than 200 chapters in the United States and its territories. One 
of those active chapters is in my district, in fact the San Marcos 
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce just held its successful Turkey Trot Golf 
Tournament during our Thanksgiving break.
  The importance of this national organization cannot be overstated, 
Hispanics have an annual purchasing power of approximately $500 billion 
and the Chamber effectively represents the more than 1 million 
Hispanic-owned businesses. The organization's recent growth has shown 
its influence in communities not traditionally considered centers for 
Latino development, locations such as Richmond, Virginia; Charlotte, 
North Carolina and Minnesota's Twin Cities area.
  The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides important recognition to 
its members and supporters through an annual awards program. Moreover, 
the organization furnishes its membership with a host of critical 
services, ably guided by the leadership of its President and CEO George 
Herrera, Chair Ms. Elizabeth Lisboa-Farrow, who also chairs the DC 
Chamber of Commerce; and Vice Chairman J.R.

[[Page 23826]]

Gonzales, President of a communications firm in Austin, Texas.
  Importantly, the Chamber has maintained international trade as one of 
its top long term priorities, even maintaining an office in Mexico 
City. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides and promotes the kind 
of private sector trade initiatives and assistance that I believe all 
of us can support.
  Mr. Speaker, I am gratified to be able to bring to the Floor today 
this resolution to recognize the important contributions of the United 
States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and ask for the support of members 
in passing this item.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 277.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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