[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20797]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. SALAZAR. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to 
the immediate consideration of S. Res. 682, submitted earlier today by 
this Senator from Colorado.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 682) recognizing Hispanic Heritage 
     Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Hispanic 
     Americans and their immense contribution to the Nation.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SALAZAR. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 682) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 682

       Whereas from September 15, 2008, through October 15, 2008, 
     the country celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;
       Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population 
     in the United States at 45,500,000 people, making Hispanic 
     Americans the largest ethnic minority within the United 
     States;
       Whereas 1 in 3 United States public school students is 
     Hispanic, and the total number of Hispanic students enrolled 
     in our Nation's public schools is expected to reach 
     28,000,000 by 2050;
       Whereas the purchasing power of Hispanic Americans has 
     reached $870,000,000,000 by 2008 and there are more than 
     1,600,000 Hispanic-owned firms in the United States, 
     supporting 1,536,795 employees nationwide;
       Whereas Hispanic Americans serve in all branches of the 
     Armed Forces, bravely fought in every war in United States 
     history, and continue to serve with distinction in 
     Afghanistan and Iraq;
       Whereas 140,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean War;
       Whereas more than 80,000 Hispanics served in the Vietnam 
     War, representing 5.5 percent of those who made the ultimate 
     sacrifice for their country in that conflict although they 
     comprised only 4.5 percent of the United States population at 
     the time;
       Whereas, as of August 2, 2008, approximately 11 percent of 
     the more than 4,122 United States military fatalities in Iraq 
     have been Hispanic;
       Whereas there are more than 1,100,000 Hispanic veterans of 
     the United States Armed Forces;
       Whereas 43 Hispanic Americans have received the 
     Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in 
     action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an 
     individual serving in the United States Armed Forces;
       Whereas Hispanic Americans are dedicated public servants, 
     holding posts at the highest levels of government, including 
     3 seats in the United States Senate; and
       Whereas Hispanic Americans harbor a deep commitment to 
     family and community, an enduring work ethic, and a 
     perseverance to succeed and contribute to society: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month 
     from September 15, 2008, through October 15, 2008;
       (2) honors the heritage and culture of Hispanic Americans 
     and their immense contributions to the life of the Nation; 
     and
       (3) urges the people of the United States to observe 
     Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate programs and 
     activities.

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