[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 21152-21153]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to be here on the floor this 
evening during Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the Hispanic community 
and pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions that Hispanics have 
made and continue to make to our great Nation.
  There are 45.5 million Hispanics in America whose hard work, strong 
faith and closely knit families have made America a better and stronger 
country. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor some of the 
Hispanic leaders in my congressional district who selflessly serve our 
communities with diligence and passion.
  Leaders including Joel Arredondo, president of the Lorain City 
Council and president of the Coalition of Hispanic Issues in Progress. 
Joel is an active leader in our community, and as a result, last year 
the Lorain County Urban League honored him as the Community Leader of 
the Year.
  Pastor Gilbert Silva is the pastor at House of Praise in Lorain, 
Ohio. Pastor Silva has touched the lives of many people through his 
thoughtful sermons and one-on-one interaction with his parishioners.
  Celestino Rivera, chief of police for the City of Lorain. Chief 
Rivera serves in his position with professionalism and integrity in his 
mission to protect and serve our community.
  First Sergeant Sam Obechi teaches the Honor Guard at the Southview 
School Army Junior ROTC. Not only has Sergeant Obechi selflessly served 
our country, he serves our community and our Nation by teaching young 
men and women how to prepare for college and the Armed Services.
  Victor Leandry, director of El Centro Social Services, which is a 
regional affiliate for the National Council of La Raza. His commitment 
to the community is seen through his work in civil rights, social 
justice, community development, and education.
  Nellie Carraballo is a member of Steelworkers Local 1104. I had the 
honor of serving on a panel with Nellie recently to discuss the so-
called U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Nellie has helped educate 
many in my community by sharing the worker's rights violations that she 
witnessed while she was on a trip to Colombia.
  Laura Rios, director of a community grassroots organization in my 
district called Reclaim Lorain. Laura and her group have energized the 
community through their local initiatives, such as their campaign 
encouraging people to vote.
  Mr. Speaker, the individuals that I have mentioned are only a few of 
the very many Hispanic leaders in Ohio and across our country who are 
fighting to improve our community and our neighborhoods.
  The Hispanic community is a vital part of our Nation economically, 
culturally and politically, and the 110th Democratic Congress has been 
successful in enacting key initiatives to help revitalize our economy 
and renew the American Dream for millions of America's Hispanic 
families.
  We increased the minimum wage, benefiting 2.3 million Hispanics over 
the next several years, the first increase in a decade.
  We have twice passed legislation to provide health care coverage for 
10 million children in need, including millions of Hispanic children. 
Now, unfortunately, President Bush vetoed these measures, preventing 
children from accessing the health care that they need.
  But in addition, this Congress has extended unemployment benefits at 
a time when the Hispanic unemployment rate stands at 8 percent.
  Finally, this Congress has passed landmark measures to improve the 
lives of America's veterans, including the 1.1 million veterans who are 
Hispanic.

[[Page 21153]]

  Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that Congress continue to focus on 
expanding economic opportunities for our Hispanic working families and 
communities.
  I will continue to fight to ensure that Hispanics in my district have 
a voice in Washington, D.C., and once again, I'm proud to recognize our 
Hispanic leaders in my district in Ohio and all across our great 
Nation.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 
and recognize all of the accomplishments of the Hispanic community.

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