Menendez Statement Marking the Start of 2022's Hispanic Heritage Month

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino in Congress, released the following statement to mark the beginning of 2022's Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15:

"Today, in New Jersey and all across America, we commemorate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month -- a time when our nation comes together every year to celebrate the shared heritage, the diversity of traditions, the towering accomplishments and growing influence of the Latino community who are leading the way in every major industry from finance to entertainment to politics and beyond. It is also a time to reflect on the countless contributions Latinos and Latinas have made, and continue to make, to the economy, culture, history, and all aspects of American society.

"In my home state alone, Latinos and Latino-owned businesses are an economic powerhouse, contributing $97 billion to the state's economy. When New Jersey became one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic, Latino frontline workers showed up and worked hard to keep our state and economy afloat despite putting themselves and their families at risk. And especially this month, let's always remember and honor the many Latinos and Latinas that have served valiantly as members of the U.S. Armed Forces to protect our freedoms and our democratic way of life at home and abroad.

"This month, we honor these contributions not only with words but with concrete results achieved under our current Democratic majority in Congress. From passing landmark bills like the American Rescue Plan to the bipartisan infrastructure law to the recent Inflation Reduction Act, we are making historic investments in underserved communities around the country, many of them are majority Latino. We secured health care benefits for thousands of Latino families, capped the cost of insulin for seniors, and passed provisions to lower everyday costs for millions of Latino families while tackling the existential threat posed by climate change. And under President's leadership, nearly half of all Latinos with student debt will have their debt cancelled, which will unlock their economic potential and pave the way for them to pursue dreams of buying a house, opening a small business, or even starting a family.

"Despite this significant progress, we continue to confront systemic inequities that affect our community, we strive to improve representation across all sectors, from the highest levels of government to America's corporate boardrooms, and we resolve to finally deliver humane and inclusive immigration reform that will provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. As we celebrate our rich heritage and the undeniable contributions to the fabric of American society, let us reaffirm our commitment to making sure that all Latinos, regardless of their national origin, the color of their skin or the zip code they live in, can prosper and get ahead. Let's raise every voice, in every facet of life in America, to ensure more members of our community in New Jersey and across the nation can realize the promise of the American Dream."

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