[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23438]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Hispanic Heritage 
Month--a celebration of Americans of Hispanic heritage and their 
significant, collective and individual contributions to our community 
and to our nation.
  Hosting one of the events this year is the Cleveland Public Library. 
The Cleveland Public Library and regional branches continue their 
commitment to promoting our diverse community, richly infused with 
Hispanic culture and language. As part of the Library's 2004 Strategic 
Plan, new and permanent resources of Spanish Language collections are 
now underway, along with the implementation of a Spanish language Web 
site.
  Hispanic Heritage Month is reflective of the 500-year history of 
Hispanic culture and contributions to America. Hispanic Americans have 
contributed immeasurably to all areas of our culture--from medicine, 
law, and business, to education, music and the fine arts. Hispanic 
Americans in our community and in communities across the country are 
life-saving doctors and nurses, veterans, inspiring professors, 
dedicated teachers, committed elected officials, fair-minded judges, 
and hardworking factory employees. Americans of Hispanic heritage bring 
energy, innovation, and a real sense of social justice to America, 
while retaining the cultural traditions of their homeland for all 
citizens to enjoy.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and celebration of Hispanic 
Heritage Month, and join me in expressing my gratitude for the 
outstanding contributions made by Hispanic Americans. Their journey to 
America, fraught with significant obstacles and strife, paved the way 
for a better life for their children and future generations, and 
signifies what it means to be an American. Within our diversity we find 
strength. Within our traditions we find unity. And because of their 
journey, and the journey of people from all points of the world, we are 
stronger as a community, more unified as a Nation, and better as 
people.

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