October 13, 2021

Cárdenas Leads Resolution Commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) has led 36 of his colleagues in introducing a commemorative resolution recognizing September 15th through October 15th, 2021, as Hispanic Heritage Month. 

“Latino history is American history, inseparable from the birth of our nation to the present, and into its bright future,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “Our community’s involvement and influence on America’s cultural, economic and political tapestry is something that deserves both recognition and celebration. It is with great pride that we lead a resolution that honors the inspiring contributions of our diverse communities to this country.”

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino in Congress, and John Cornyn (R-Texas) have introduced a companion resolution in the Senate.

“Hispanics have always been an important part of the fabric of American society, full of only love for this country and responsible for countless contributions,” said Senator Menendez. “As the Hispanic American community continues to grow, we will only become an even more integral part of this country and will help expand economic opportunities for all. I commend my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for supporting this resolution and I hope they will work with me and others to implement policies that will provide Hispanic Americans with greater opportunity.”

The commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as ‘Hispanic Heritage Week’ under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th. Latinos currently make up 18.5 percent of the U.S. population and are projected to grow to 107 million people by 2065 as 24 percent of the population.  Cárdenas’ resolution notes that Hispanic-Americans contribute more than $1.7 trillion to the United States economy, more than the GDP of all but the top 17 nations in the world.

The resolution is co-sponsored by Albio Sires (NJ-08), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Dina Titus (NV-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), James Langevin (RI-02), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Jim Costa (CA-16), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Kathleen M. Rice (NY-04), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Marie Newman (IL-03), Michael F.Q. San Nicolas (GU-00), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07),Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) and Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15). 

The resolution can be found here

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