III 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 702 

Recognizing the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the musical heritage of the United States and designating May 2024 as ‘‘Latin 

Music Appreciation Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 23, 2024 

Mr. LUJA ́N (for himself and Mr. RUBIO) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the musical heritage of the United States and 

designating May 2024 as ‘‘Latin Music Appreciation 

Month’’. 

Whereas Latin music styles such as rancheras, corridos, mariachi, salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, reggaeton, 

urban, cumbia, tango, and a multitude of others, and 

their fusion with other genres, such as jazz, rock, hip 

hop, and pop, have played a pivotal role in enriching the 

cultural fabric of the United States, influencing everything from music and dance to fashion and entertainment; 

Whereas Latin music, characterized by its vibrant rhythms, 

rich melodies, and diverse instrumentation, encompasses 


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a wide array of musical styles and genres originating 

from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as their 

respective diasporas around the world; 

Whereas the rich musical traditions of Latin America and the 

Caribbean were deeply influenced by indigenous cultures, 

European colonization, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, the legacy of African slavery, and the vibrant 

cultural heritage of each region and country, all of which 

contributed to the development of diverse genres in the 

United States; 

Whereas the roots of Mexican music in the United States can 

be traced back to rich musical traditions that existed in 

Mexico before the annexation of Mexican territories, including present-day New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming, by the 

United States following the Mexican-American War; 

Whereas, throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 

various waves of Mexican immigrants came to the United 

States for work, particularly in agriculture, mining, and 

railroad construction, settling in regions such as Texas, 

California, Arizona, and New Mexico, and bringing their 

music with them; 

Whereas Mexican music in the United States encompasses 

various regional styles, including ranchera, norten ̃o, 

tejano, conjunto, mariachi, and corridos, originating from 

different parts of Mexico but popularized and adapted 

within Mexican-American communities in the United 

States; 

Whereas the lifestyle and the social issues that Mexicans 

faced are reflected in corridos, a music genre that originated during the Mexican War of Independence and the 


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Mexican Revolution, spreading to the southwestern frontier of the United States and contributing to the development of Tejano and New Mexican music, 

Whereas mariachi music stems from the traditional ‘son 

jaliscience’, and was initially played by field hands working at haciendas and humble street performers, and was 

subsequently promoted by the Government of Mexico in 

the early 1920s; 

Whereas mariachi ensembles, which can include violins, accordions, trumpets, guitars, and singers, have since been 

prominently featured in a myriad of cultural celebrations, 

including birthday festivities, quincean ̃eras, and weddings, and in prestigious concert halls; 

Whereas banda, a style of Mexican music characterized by 

wind instruments including primarily brass and percussion, has its roots dating back to the mid-19th century, 

with the introduction of piston brass instruments, as 

community musicians sought to emulate military bands, 

and encompasses a fusion of traditional dance rhythms 

such as polka, cumbia, son, and waltz, and notable performers in the genre include Jenny Rivera, Chalino, 

Banda MS, and Banda El Recodo; 

Whereas Caribbean Latin music has had influences in the 

United States since the mid to late 1800s, with notable 

contributions from composers like Ignacio Pin ̃eiro, Louis 

Moreau Gottschalk, and Ignacio Cervantes, whose works 

helped introduce Latin rhythms and melodies to audiences in the United States; 

Whereas the Cuban version of the habanera, exposed to New 

Orleans in the 19th century, laid the foundation for the 


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appreciation of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican 

musical styles in the United States; 

Whereas Cuban immigration to the United States, spurred by 

communism as a result of the Cuban Revolution and the 

Castro dictatorship, has fostered cultural exchanges that 

contributed to the development of new musical genres, 

most prominently in Florida; 

Whereas, in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, 

Puerto Rico became a United States territory, granting 

its people citizenship and fostering a unique cultural exchange between Puerto Ricans and individuals in the 

mainland United States, which culminated in a significant migration wave of Puerto Ricans to cities like New 

York in the mid-20th century; 

Whereas the establishment of Spanish-language newspapers, 

such as La Prensa in New York City in 1913, contributed to the dissemination of Latin music and culture 

among tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans and immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean who migrated to New York City; 

Whereas a convergence of Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other 

Caribbean immigrants, particularly in New York City, infused music in the United States with Afro-Cuban 

rhythms and jazz improvisation and gave rise to the vibrant musical genre of salsa in the United States, which 

left a lasting mark on the cultural landscape of the 

United States; 

Whereas the introduction of Afro-Cuban music, including the 

rumba by Don Azpiazu’s Havana Casino Orchestra in the 

1930s, sparked a Latin music craze in the United States 


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with hits like ‘‘Peanut Vendor’’ by Moises Simons becoming national sensations; 

Whereas, by the close of the 1940s, Latin music had firmly 

established its presence in the United States, influencing 

various genres and becoming an integral part of the musical heritage of the United States; 

Whereas Tito Puente, a Puerto Rican musical luminary 

known as both the ‘‘King of Mambo’’ and the ‘‘King of 

Latin Music’’, left an indelible mark on the world of 

Latin music through his groundbreaking compositions, 

including the iconic ‘‘Oye Como Va’’, famously popularized by Carlos Santana; 

Whereas Puente’s innovative blend of Cuban and Caribbean 

sounds such as mambo, son, and cha-cha-cha ́ resonated 

with mainstream audiences, solidifying his status as a 

cultural icon both in the United States and internationally; 

Whereas, in 1959, Ritchie Valens became a trailblazer in the 

music industry with his iconic rendition of the song ‘‘La 

Bamba’’ becoming the first Latin song to enter the Hot 

100 Billboard chart, marking a significant milestone for 

Chicano Rock; 

Whereas Celia Cruz, the incomparable ‘‘Queen of Salsa’’ and 

a pioneer of Afro-Cuban music, infused traditional 

guarachas with modern flair, elevated the genre to global 

acclaim with timeless classics like ‘‘La Vida Es un 

Carnaval’’, and left an enduring legacy in the realm of 

Latin music; 

Whereas Celia Cruz served as a musical ambassador with her 

dynamic performances and impassioned vocals that tranVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:35 May 24, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR702.IS SR702

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scended cultural boundaries, solidifying her status as a 

global icon; 

Whereas Johnny Pacheco, revered as the ‘‘Grandfather of 

Salsa’’, emerged as a leading figure in the vibrant New 

York salsa scene during the 1960s and 1970s, contributing significantly to the genre’s development, and served 

as the musical director of Fania Records; 

Whereas Los Tigres del Norte, a Mexican band renowned for 

their poignant portrayal of social issues and immigrant 

experiences in the United States through songs like ‘‘La 

jaula de oro’’ and ‘‘Ame ́rica’’, have been honored with 

multiple Grammy awards, contributing significantly to 

the popularization of the corridos genre within the United 

States starting in 1968 and continuing to the present 

day; 

Whereas Vicente Fernandez, a singer, actor, film producer, 

and the ‘‘King of Ranchera Music’’, made significant contributions to ranchera music, earning him Grammy and 

Latin Grammy awards, selling over 50,000,000 records, 

and receiving the title of the greatest Mexican singer of 

all time by Rolling Stone; 

Whereas Alejandro Fernandez, ‘‘El Potrillo’’, continues the 

legacy of ranchera music, having sold over 20,000,000 albums across the world; 

Whereas Gloria Estefan, a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, Grammy award winner, and Presidential 

Medal of Freedom recipient, emerged as a pioneering figure in Latin pop music during the 1980s and 1990s, 

achieving international acclaim with hits such as 

‘‘Conga’’ , which fused Latin rhythms with contemporary 


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pop sensibilities, and her contributions to the genre 

helped propel Latin music into the mainstream; 

Whereas Emilio Estefan, a prominent and visionary figure in 

the Latin music industry, has made significant contributions to the genre as an award-winning songwriter, producer, musician, mentor, and entrepreneur, and was the 

first artist to receive the grand distinction of Person of 

the Year during the Latin Grammy Awards in 2000; 

Whereas, from establishing the Miami Sound Machine to 

working with renowned artists such as Gloria Estefan, 

Marc Anthony, Alejandro Fernandez, Jon Secada, Ricky 

Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Shakira, Emilio Estefan’s 

influence has been instrumental in defining Latin crossover and introducing Latin rhythms and culture to mainstream audiences worldwide; 

Whereas Selena Quintanilla, known as the ‘‘Queen of Tejano 

Music’’, left a profound and enduring impact on the 

United States through her distinctive fusion of Tejano 

music with contemporary pop and R&B, captivating audiences across the United States and beyond as a MexicanAmerican artist, and her legacy continues beyond the 

1980s and 1990s, resonating with fans to this day; 

Whereas bachata, with its blend of European, indigenous 

Taino, and African elements, reflects the rich cultural 

heritage of the Dominican Republic; 

Whereas the pioneering work of the band Aventura, originating in New York, played a significant role in popularizing the genre of bachata in the United States, garnering widespread popularity and acclaim; 

Whereas Cuban reggaeton and tropical duo Gente de Zona, 

which emerged from the streets of the island and is now 


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a world-renowned group, transcended barriers to ignite 

hope for the people of Cuba with their historic Spanish 

hip-hop song ‘‘Patria y Vida,’’ authored by Yotuel and 

Beatriz Luengo; 

Whereas Mana ́ is considered the most influential Latino rock 

band and is one of the best-selling Latin music artists in 

the world, with over 25,000,000 records sold worldwide, 

and was the first band ever to be recognized as Person 

of the Year during the Latin Grammy Awards; 

Whereas Juan Luis Guerra was the first artist ever to receive 

a Latin Grammy Award during the first televised Latin 

Grammy Award ceremony for ‘‘Ni Es Lo Mismo Ni Es 

Igual’’; 

Whereas Latin music has continued to evolve and incorporate 

diverse styles and influences from various countries and 

regions, and has been popularized by artists like Shakira, 

Mana ́, Vicente Fernandez, Alejandro Fernandez, Juan 

Gabriel, J Balvin, Ozuna, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Karol 

G, Peso Pluma, Pepe Aguilar, and Bad Bunny, among 

many others; 

Whereas Daddy Yankee, a Puerto Rican artist, emerged as 

a pioneer of reggaeton, a genre blending Caribbean 

rhythms with hip-hop and reggae influences, and played 

a pivotal role in elevating reggaeton to a global phenomenon in the early 2000s, with his groundbreaking 

hits, including ‘‘Gasolina’’ and ‘‘Despacito’’, the largest 

globally streamed Spanish song to date; 

Whereas the Latin Grammy Award ceremony was the first bilingual primetime program to be aired on an English-language television network in the United States, and it 

celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024; 


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Whereas the Latin Grammy Foundation is a global champion 

for music education and empowers communities through 

Latin music and culture, successfully cultivating the next 

generation of Latin music creators through various scholarships, educational programs and grants, and educational opportunities that advance Latin music and its 

heritage; 

Whereas People en Espan ̃ol is one of the most trusted voices 

in Hispanic culture that, for almost 30 years, has celebrated Latin music and culture, covering in its pages and 

digital space the evolution of Latin music, singers, and 

musicians who have captivated a worldwide audience; 

Whereas Leila Cobo is considered one of the world’s leading 

authorities in Latin music, as the first journalist based 

in the United States to prominently cover Latin music 

daily, and has been instrumental in transforming its coverage and perception in the United States; 

Whereas, according to the Recording Industry Association of 

America, Latin music earned a record-breaking 

$1,400,000,000 in 2023, following all-time high revenues 

in 2022; 

Whereas Latin music artists have significantly contributed to 

cross-cultural exchanges, civic participation, political 

movements, and philanthropy, utilizing their influential 

platforms to advocate for social causes and engage with 

diverse communities; 

Whereas the Hispanic population in the United States has 

grown significantly, accounting for approximately 19 percent of the total population as of the 2020 Census, and 

continues to contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of 

the United States; 


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Whereas continued influence and cultural exchange between 

the United States and the Spanish-speaking world, including Mexico, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, 

Colombia, Guatemala, Venezuela, Honduras, Argentina, 

Peru, Brazil, and Spain, continues to elevate the cultural 

importance of Latin music in the United States; and 

Whereas Latino culture, including its vibrant music traditions, is celebrated and honored at events such as Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, Latin music festivals, 

and other cultural gatherings throughout the United 

States, showcasing the enduring influence and significance of Latin music and heritage in the society of the 

United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates May 2024 as ‘‘Latin Music Ap3 preciation Month’’; and 

4 (2) recognizes— 

5 (A) the importance of music produced, 

6 written, and performed by Hispanic and Latino 

7 Americans to the musical heritage of the United 

8 States; 

9 (B) the Hispanic and Latino musical art10 ists, composers, songwriters, and musicians 

11 whose contributions to music are underrecog12 nized; 

13 (C) the achievements, talent, and hard 

14 work of Hispanic and Latino pioneer artists, 


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1 and the obstacles that those artists overcame to 

2 gain recognition; 

3 (D) the importance of celebrating and up4 lifting music made by Hispanic and Latino art5 ists to understand the contributions that His6 panic and Latino artists have made to the fab7 ric of history and art in the United States; and 

8 (E) National Hispanic Heritage Month 

9 and Latin Music Appreciation Month as an im10 portant time to— 

11 (i) celebrate the impact of Latin 

12 music on the musical heritage of the 

13 United States; and 

14 (ii) encourage greater awareness of 

15 the cultural importance and history of 

16 Latin music so that Latino and Hispanic 

17 history and culture can be preserved. 

Æ 


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