[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23070]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 18, 2005

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor National Hispanic 
Heritage Month. Our nation's greatest strength is its heritage of 
diversity and this month is a tribute to the more than 35 million 
Americans who identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino and the many 
millions who came before them. We thank them for their contributions to 
America, from protecting the nation from its enemies, to representing 
it abroad and strengthening it from within.
  Hispanic Americans have flourished in every field, from politics to 
business to academia to entertainment. From the first Hispanic U.S. 
Congressman in 1822 to David Farragut, the first four-star Navy Admiral 
and famed Civil War leader, Hispanic Americans have played an integral 
part of our nation's history at every turn.
  That history of service and patriotism continues today with the more 
than 200,000 Hispanics currently in the Armed Services. We thank them, 
for every time they don the uniform they do it with honor. They have 
fought proudly and bravely and 41 men of Hispanic heritage have been 
honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor. There are countless more 
that go unthanked. They face danger every day in our streets and in our 
homes as first responders; as policemen, as firemen and as paramedics.
  I was proud to join the Immigration Sub-Committee of the House 
Judiciary Committee earlier this year. I will continue to fight for the 
rights of America's newest residents as they make the transition to 
citizens. America's immigrants become many of its most active 
participants in civic life and contributors to our vibrant culture.
  Over the last decade, I have been privileged to work with the Latino 
community, particularly on immigration issues and voter registration 
with Isabel Melendez. Her hard work organizing the Latino community to 
register and to get out and vote exemplifies the political activism 
thriving in the community.
  I am proud to say that Latinos in Lawrence are continually achieving 
a higher socioeconomic status and improving the quality of life for 
their families. As a natural result, more and more Latino candidates 
are running for, and being elected to, public office. In my own 
district, I am proud to honor Julia Silverio who became the first 
Dominican woman to win public office in New England when she was 
elected to the Lawrence City Council. She is a member of the Dominican 
American National Roundtable will receive its Leadership Award tomorrow 
on October 8th.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in celebrating National 
Hispanic Heritage Month. It honors a powerful and patriotic heritage 
that has made our nation stronger through its inclusion. Hispanic 
Americans have profoundly changed and improved this nation in every 
facet, from the international to the national to the local level. All 
Americans owe this group their gratitude and honor.

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