[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21784]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH STATEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the month-long 
celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
  During Hispanic Heritage Month, we pay tribute to the Hispanic 
community and to the important contributions Hispanics make to America. 
Today the Hispanic-American community numbers some 43 million, is the 
fastest growing ethnic group in our country, and plays a vital part in 
our nation's economy, culture, and politics.
  That's why I'm so proud in Congress to be a member of both the 
Hispanic Working Group organized by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and 
of the Tri-Caucus, which is the collection of the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and the Asian Pacific 
American Caucus that advocate for the Latino community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to represent a thriving and accomplished 
Latino community in the 9th Congressional District of California, where 
the contributions of Latino members of the community are stronger than 
ever.
  For example, throughout the past 37 years, the Spanish Speaking 
Citizens' Foundation has empowered our community and improved the 
quality of life for many through an enormous range of services. Each 
year the foundation assists 12,000 members of the community through 
providing vital social services as well as enhancing opportunities for 
leadership development and civic participation.
  Jovita Solis, the foundation's Citizenship Coordinator, came to the 
United States when she was quite young and has made a tremendous 
difference in our community. Jovita routinely volunteers her time at 
numerous community events to encourage and assist many permanent 
residents to become naturalized citizens. Jovita has an indomitable 
spirit that was tested when her brother was murdered only 3 years ago. 
Jovita came out of her brother's death with a purpose to make our 
community safer and to help our youths turn away from violence and 
crime. Jovita has spearheaded many youth initiatives to help our young 
people stay in school and encourage their pursuits in the arts and 
sports.
  Another community leader creating a better world is Arnoldo Garcia. 
Arnoldo is the Enforcement and Justice Program Coordinator at the 
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR), based in 
Oakland, California.
  The NNIRR is a national organization that serves as a forum to share 
information and analysis, to educate communities and the general 
public, and to develop and coordinate plans of action on important 
immigrant and refugee issues.
  Arnoldo works to promote a just immigration and refugee policy in the 
United States and to defend and expand the rights of all immigrants and 
refugees, regardless of immigration status. Arnoldo and the National 
Network bases their efforts in the principles of equality and justice, 
and seek the enfranchisement of all immigrant and refugee communities 
in the United States through organizing and advocating for their full 
labor, environmental, civil and human rights. Arnoldo recognizes the 
unparalleled change in global, political and economic structures which 
has exacerbated regional, national and international patterns of 
migration, and emphasizes the need to build international support and 
cooperation to strengthen the rights, welfare and safety of migrants 
and refugees.
  Mr. Speaker, Individuals in my district are the motivating force 
behind the remarkable organizations that promote civic engagement among 
Latinos in the 9th Congressional District. Leaders like Marta Higuera, 
a Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action field representative, 
helps BOCA fulfill its mission of creating a coalition of interfaith 
congregations throughout the city of Berkeley. Marta's leadership has 
been instrumental in having BOCA meet the needs of the Latino 
community. She persuaded the Berkeley High School English Language 
Learners program to translate forms and documents into Spanish for 
parents. In addition, Marta has organized immigration town halls and 
fundraisers to support our community members who are in most need.
  Mr. Speaker, as we honor the achievements of outstanding Hispanic 
Americans--like Jovita Solis, Arnoldo Garcia, and Marta Higuera--we 
know that celebrating the Hispanic community for just one month not 
enough. All Latinos deserve a real opportunity to achieve the American 
Dream, whether they have been here for generations or just arrived to 
our shores. Hispanic dreams and values are undoubtedly American dreams 
and values.

                          ____________________