[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14863]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2014

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I rise to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and its 2014 
theme, Hispanics: A legacy of history, a present of action, and a 
future of success. The people of the United States will once again 
celebrate the histories, cultures, and traditions of our Hispanic 
American brothers and sisters from September 15, 2014, through October 
15, 2014.
  Hispanic Heritage Month begins each year on September 15, the 
anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa 
Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile 
observe their independence days on September 16 and September 18. Since 
its inception as National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, which later 
became National Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988, Americans have taken 
this time to not only pay tribute to the rich culture and traditions of 
Hispanic Americans, but also to reflect on the numerous contributions 
they have made that have led to improvements within their communities, 
and in turn, a better America.
  Our nation's success is reliant upon the rich heritage and cultural 
diversity of its people. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the many 
Hispanic leaders and members of our communities who have added to the 
prosperity of the United States in every facet of society including 
medicine, business, arts and entertainment, sports, education, 
politics, and the military.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask you and my other distinguished 
colleagues to join me in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. 
Throughout America's history, present, and future, the Hispanic 
community has played and continues to play a major role in enriching 
the quality of life and culture of our great nation, and for their 
outstanding contributions they are worthy of the highest praise.

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