Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
In Recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 29, 2005
Mr. FEINGOLD: Mr. President, we are currently observing
National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when many members of the
Latino community and the country at large remember and celebrate the
profound contributions of Hispanic culture that are woven into the
great cultural fabric of America. National Hispanic Heritage Month
is celebrated between September 15 and October 15, to coincide with
the Independence Day anniversaries of nations throughout Latin America.
In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson’s proclamation of National
Hispanic Heritage Week was authorized by Congress. In 1988, the recognition
was expanded to a month-long celebration.
America is home to nearly 41 million Latinos, including
a thriving population in my home state of Wisconsin. This month, we
should take the time to embrace the many important contributions throughout
American history of American Latinos that affect all of our everyday
lives. This month we celebrate the historic efforts of Cesar Chavez,
Jamie Escalante, Roberto Hernandez, Henry Cisneros, Ellen Ochoa and
Roberto Clemente, to name just a few. We celebrate their work to break
down barriers and create bridges for future generations.
But as we celebrate Hispanic heritage, it is also time
to address the challenges that face the Hispanic community, such as
access to education and health care, fair working conditions, racial
profiling and, for many, an ability to keep their family together
while working to become legal, permanent residents of this great country.
I am a strong supporter of the SOLVE Act, introduced by Senators Kennedy
and McCain, that would help keep many Latino families together while
their petitions for permanent legal residency are processed. The legislation
would help hard-working Hispanics and others become legalized citizens
and would offer a new temporary worker program.
While we work to improve the immigration system, we
must enhance the education of Latino students. Many Latino students
face social, economic, and language barriers that can prevent them
from receiving the top-quality education they, like all American students,
deserve. We must increase funding for English proficiency programs,
programs to help low-income students attend college, and programs
to help parents involve themselves in their children’s education.
It must be a priority for Congress to ensure equal education for all
so the Hispanic community can continue to flourish and contribute
to American culture.
In closing, Mr. President, I would like to express my
hope that the 109th Congress begins to address these and other pressing
priorities for Latinos across the country. We should not limit our
celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month to saluting the achievements
of Hispanics – we also need to make sure that we act on the
educational, health, labor and other needs of all Americans of Hispanic
heritage.
Read this Statement in Español
