Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, a lot has been said, but a lot needs to be said. I would like to thank the chairman and everyone else for bringing this resolution to the floor. We have heard from both of the speakers previously about the great and positive impact that Hispanics have had in this country. Yes, it is a large population and a growing population. It is important that this celebration, which started in 1968 when Congress authorized President Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration. It is important that we recognize and celebrate the contributions of this important part of our country.

The chairman mentioned some notable people who have done so much for this country, but you don't need to frankly look too far from Capitol Hill, or too far from this room, this Chamber right now, to recognize some of those who have done so much for our country.

One of the families that I greatly admire is the family of the person who is Speaker right now, the Salazar brothers, who have given so much for this country, generation after generation.

Previously, Justice Sotomayor was mentioned as another one of the those notable Hispanics whose contributions have been felt for many, many years, and who will continue to be felt for many, many years. It is appropriate that we are here celebrating, and that today Congress joins this celebration, this recognition of such an important part of the fiber of the United States of America, of the Hispanic community of this great country.

I thank all of you for bringing this forward. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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