[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5231]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, this year marks the 75th 
Anniversary of the League of United Latino American Citizens, commonly 
known as LULAC. This national organization was founded in 1929 to fight 
for the civil rights of all Hispanic Americans. The LULAC founders saw 
a need for an organization that would strive for equality, fight 
discrimination and injustice, help Hispanics to claim their rights as 
United States Citizens and to have access to the American Dream.
  Due to their success in the southwest, LULAC continued to open up 
chapters all over the United States. LULAC's first council was formed 
in Iowa in 1959 and continues to have a strong presence today. They 
have prospered over the past 45 years and continue to be a leader in 
Iowa, fighting for the rights of Latino Iowans.
  LULAC has worked to affect national policy so that it better reflects 
the different cultures living in the United States. They continue to 
work tirelessly to reduce discrimination, close the achievement gap and 
improve the immigration laws and system.
  LULAC seeks to reduce disparities in political representation. They 
work to develop leaders among the young Latino men and women in Iowa. 
Rita Vargas, a previous member of my staff, was nominated as ``LULAC's 
Woman of the Year'' in 2001, and has since been elected to the position 
of Scott County Recorder.
  The Latino community is a vital, growing part of today's Iowa. In 
this great country, we find strength in our diversity. Iowa is stronger 
economically and richer culturally thanks to the many contributions of 
our Latino friends, neighbors and colleagues.
  I would like to say thank you to LULAC for all their hard work in 
Iowa and throughout the country. I wish them the best as they continue 
their community activism.

                          ____________________