III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 682 

Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and 

culture of Hispanic Americans and their immense contributions to the Nation. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 24 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 17), 2008 

Mr. SALAZAR (for himself, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. REID, Ms. 

STABENOW, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. LEVIN, Mrs. 

CLINTON, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. DODD, Mr. FEINGOLD, 

Mrs. BOXER, Mr. DOMENICI, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. LUGAR, and Mrs. 

HUTCHISON) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 

and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the 

heritage and culture of Hispanic Americans and their 

immense contributions to the Nation. 

Whereas from September 15, 2008, through October 15, 

2008, the country celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month; 

Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population in the United States at 45,500,000 people, making 

Hispanic Americans the largest ethnic minority within 

the United States; 

Whereas 1 in 3 United States public school students is Hispanic, and the total number of Hispanic students enrolled 


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•SRES 682 ATS 

in our Nation’s public schools is expected to reach 

28,000,000 by 2050; 

Whereas the purchasing power of Hispanic Americans has 

reached $870,000,000,000 by 2008 and there are more 

than 1,600,000 Hispanic-owned firms in the United 

States, supporting 1,536,795 employees nationwide; 

Whereas Hispanic Americans serve in all branches of the 

Armed Forces, bravely fought in every war in United 

States history, and continue to serve with distinction in 

Afghanistan and Iraq; 

Whereas 140,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean 

War; 

Whereas more than 80,000 Hispanics served in the Vietnam 

War, representing 5.5 percent of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in that conflict although 

they comprised only 4.5 percent of the United States 

population at the time; 

Whereas, as of August 2, 2008, approximately 11 percent of 

the more than 4,122 United States military fatalities in 

Iraq have been Hispanic; 

Whereas there are more than 1,100,000 Hispanic veterans of 

the United States Armed Forces; 

Whereas 43 Hispanic Americans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon 

an individual serving in the United States Armed Forces; 

Whereas Hispanic Americans are dedicated public servants, 

holding posts at the highest levels of government, including 3 seats in the United States Senate; and 


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Whereas Hispanic Americans harbor a deep commitment to 

family and community, an enduring work ethic, and a 

perseverance to succeed and contribute to society: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the celebration of Hispanic Her3 itage Month from September 15, 2008, through Oc4 tober 15, 2008; 

5 (2) honors the heritage and culture of Hispanic 

6 Americans and their immense contributions to the 

7 life of the Nation; and 

8 (3) urges the people of the United States to ob9 serve Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate 

10 programs and activities. 

Æ 


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