Pelosi Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins today and runs through October 15:

“Today is a proud day for America, as we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the many and varied contributions of Hispanic Americans to our country, our culture, and our history.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate our nation's diversity and to highlight the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans in all walks of life - from business and education to government and the arts. It is also a time to pause and reflect on the many challenges facing our Hispanic community - challenges we must all come together to solve.

“Hispanic Americans share the same hopes and aspirations as all Americans. And the daily challenges facing Latino families - from economic instability to a broken health care system to faltering schools - are the same challenges faced by all Americans. As our economy recovers, Congress will continue its work to ensure that all Americans - including our Hispanic community - benefit from expanded economic opportunities and future prosperity.

“Our country's success rests on the long-standing ideal that anyone - regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or creed - can achieve the American dream. Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us all of the strength of our Hispanic community's faith in that very American ideal.â€