Cárdenas Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month on House Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) spoke on the House Floor to honor the contributions of Latinos to the United States and recognize Hispanic Heritage Month. Below are his remarks on the House floor:
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to honor the heritage, culture and immense and amazing contributions of Latinos to the United States by introducing a bicameral resolution recognizing September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
“When you walk into my office, both in my Washington D.C. office and the San Fernando Valley office where I represent, you will notice a very important picture of two hardworking gentlemen. Two generations of Mexican immigrants – my father and my mother’s father – smiling while crouching down picking potatoes in the very hot Stockton, California sun. No matter how exhausted, how busy and how much pain they endured, they never complained. And they took the time to pause and smile because they were so proud to be able to do a hard day's work, an honest day's work right here in the United States of America.
“That same grit and positivity that they demonstrated in that photo are values carried by Latinos throughout our country’s history. Farmworkers, astronauts, scientists, many amazing contributors to our great country – Latinos who’ve helped keep our country operating before the pandemic, through the pandemic and still to this day. And it’s those same values and stories, those of individuals, many of them immigrants, who encompass an unwavering spirit of perseverance.
“These are the true stories that will be told at the National Museum of the American Latino. So that current and future generations have the opportunity to visit the National Mall and experience our beautiful history, culture and contributions that make us the greatest nation in the world. Yes, that’s right, ladies and gentlemen; the beautiful National Mall will soon have a Latino Museum on it so that people from all over the world can appreciate the amazing contributions that Latinos have been making to this great country and this continent for hundreds and hundreds of years.
“I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing the amazing contributions of Latinos of the United States and encourage everyone to recognize that we are a great country, we are an eclectic country, and we do have much to be proud of.”
Click here to watch the video.
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