[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20489]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, I was honored to join Majority Leader 
Frist in cosponsoring S. Res. 238 recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month 
and celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic Americans to the 
strength and culture of our Nation. S. Res. 238 passed the Senate by 
unanimous consent today, September 15, the kickoff of a month-long 
celebration and observation of Hispanic-American strength and culture 
in this country.
  Diversity truly represents the best of America, a nation where each 
of us can be proud of our ancestry, our heritage, and our native 
language, yet a nation where we at the same time can stand together 
with our neighbor, regardless of our own background, and all call 
ourselves Americans.
  Hispanic Americans have much to be proud of and much to celebrate. I 
have said this before, but I am so proud to have been elected the first 
Cuban American in the Senate. I feel a great weight of responsibility 
in representing not only the Cuban-American community and the great 
State of Florida but in a way the entire Hispanic-American community in 
our country. I know my colleague from Colorado, Senator Salazar, must 
feel the same weight of responsibility. I am very honored to serve in 
this Senate with him.
  As I like to say, in America, when you work hard and play by the 
rules, anything is possible. This year, Judge Alberto Gonzales was 
sworn in as our Attorney General.
  Alberto Gonzales is the first Hispanic American to ever serve in one 
of the four elite Cabinet posts in Government--Defense, Treasury, State 
and Attorney General, which he now proudly occupies. He is an 
inspiration for our next generation. The second Cuban American to serve 
in the President's Cabinet also took office this year--Secretary Carlos 
Gutierrez at the Department of Commerce. I was proud to support both 
their nominations.
  We have made great strides in breaking into the highest echelons of 
Government. And although I do not want to employ any litmus test of 
ethnicity, there would indeed be much to celebrate if our next Supreme 
Court nominee became the first Hispanic-American Justice of the Supreme 
Court.
  Hispanic pride in our heritage has helped many look to their past for 
strength and use this strength to forge a better future for ourselves 
and our families in all facets of American life. Our achievements have 
greatly influenced America's policymaking, its economy, and the medical 
and artistic fields. 
  In fact, we should also point out that many Hispanic Americans 
proudly serve in our Armed Forces during this time of need. In fact, 
many have given their last measure of sacrifice, while others have 
suffered serious injuries.
  But moving to other fields, now-deceased Cuban-American business 
leader and former chief executive officer of Coca-Cola Roberto Goizueta 
climbed the corporate ranks and helped Coca-Cola remain one of the 
premier brands around the world. Nobel Prize winner Severo Ochoa 
discovered the process that allows humans to create RNA in a test tube.
  My close and personal friend, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 
became the first Hispanic-American woman and first Cuban-American to be 
elected to the U.S. Congress. And within the artistic field, Brazilian 
artist Romero Britto, whose concern for the youth of the world, 
combined with social and political sources, has had his work appear in 
over 60 national and international publications.
  Just like throughout the Nation, the Hispanic community within 
Florida continues to grow rapidly, and our creativity and ingenuity 
keep contributing to American culture. Hispanic American and owner of 
NGI Solutions, Martha Korman, is making significant economic 
contributions to the greater Tampa area.
  Puerto Ricans, like Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez, 
climbed the ranks and is working to encourage homeownership and growth 
of small businesses in the Orlando region.
  Like many other Hispanics, Cuban-American Gus Machado began with 
nothing but a dream and dedicated himself to his business and his 
community, making him today the owner of the number one Ford car 
dealerships in the Miami area. In Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Javier Garcia-
Bengochea made his mark as the innovator of several instruments and 
systems used to improve spinal surgeries.
  And in Florida, just this week, a young man named Marco Rubio was 
named the first Cuban-American Speaker in the Florida House of 
Representatives, and, I might add, the first Hispanic American. I know 
that he is going to be a great leader and voice for the State of 
Florida, and a great role model for our next generation of Hispanic 
Americans who want to make a difference.
  We are proud to be Americans. We gladly stand together with all 
Americans of all races, creeds, and beliefs in this great country that 
we call home.
  Our goal in observing Hispanic Heritage Month is not to set ourselves 
apart, but to ask our fellow citizens to join us in celebrating our 
culture, our heritage, and our achievements.
  With great pride we celebrate the pioneers in our Nation and in 
Florida during this National Hispanic Heritage Month.
  We pay tribute to America's diversity and honor the countless 
contributions Hispanics have made throughout the history of this great 
country.
  And finally, we celebrate the values of the Hispanic-American 
community--family, faith, liberty, love of this country and love of our 
roots.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business for 5 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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