III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 268 

Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States and their immense contributions 

to the Nation. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 

Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. REID, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. 

DURBIN, Mr. SCHUMER, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. 

BEGICH, Mr. BROWN, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. KERRY, Ms. 

MIKULSKI, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. BENNET, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. 

NELSON of Florida, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. KAUFMAN, Mr. CORNYN, and Mrs. 

FEINSTEIN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the 

heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States 

and their immense contributions to the Nation. 

Whereas from September 15, 2009, through October 15, 

2009, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage 

Month; 

Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population in the United States at almost 47,800,000 people, 

making Hispanic Americans the largest ethnic minority 

within the United States; 

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•SRES 268 ATS 

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

in our Nation’s public schools is expected to reach 

28,000,000 by 2050; 

Whereas the purchasing power of Hispanic Americans is projected to reach $1,000,000,000,000 by 2010 and there 

are more than 1,600,000 Hispanic-owned firms in the 

United States, supporting more than 1,500,000 employees nationwide and greatly contributing to the economic 

sector, especially retail trade, wholesale trade, and construction; 

Whereas Hispanic Americans serve in all branches of the 

Armed Forces and bravely fought in every war in United 

States history; 

Whereas more than 29,000 Hispanics have served 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 individuals 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 September 11, 2009, approximately 11 percent 

of the more than 4,329 United States military fatalities 

in Iraq have been Hispanic; 

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

the Armed Forces; 

Whereas 43 Hispanic Americans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in acmstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with BILLS

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tion 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 1 seat in the Senate, 28 seats in the House of Representatives, 2 seats in the Cabinet, and 1 seat on the 

Supreme Court; and 

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, 2009, through Oc4 tober 15, 2009; 

5 (2) esteems the integral role of Latinos and 

6 their manifold heritage in the American economy, 

7 culture, and identity; and 

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

10 programs and activities that appreciate the cultural 

11 contributions of Latinos to American life. 

Æ 

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