Pelosi Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

September 12, 2003

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today joined millions of Americans commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts on Monday and lasts until October 15 and released the following statement:

"During Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the Hispanic community and pay tribute for all of their extraordinary contributions to our nation. Through their hard work, leadership, and culture, Latinos are an integral part of our nation.

"Latinos are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States. They are leaders in the small business sector with annual revenues of more than $200 billion, and Latina-owned businesses are the fastest growing sector of the American economy. Hispanic purchasing power is more than $600 billion.

"All of these achievements are a testament that the Hispanic community is a vital force in our country. Latinos deserve a real opportunity to achieve the American Dream -- whether they have been here for generations or just arrived to our shores.

"Celebrating the Hispanic community for one month a year or learning to speak Spanish is not enough. Latino values are American values. Latinos' needs are American needs. And that means putting forward principles and agendas that embody opportunity and hope for all. These are the principles of the Democratic Hispanic Agenda, ‘Compromiso Demócrata con el Pueblo Latino.' It embodies our commitment to the issues that Latinos care about the most: jobs and the economy, education, health care, civil rights, immigration, and relations between the U.S. and Latin America.

"During Hispanic Heritage Month, we say gracias to the Hispanic Community for your legacy in the sciences, arts, the economy, sports, and politics. Gracias for making our society better and our culture more vibrant.

"As we celebrate the enormous accomplishments of the Hispanic community, it is with great pride that we shall continue our fight towards prosperity and empowerment for all Americans."

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