III 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 582 

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

of Latinos to the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 22 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 21), 2012 

Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. REID, Mr. CORNYN, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. 

BEGICH, Mr. HELLER, Mrs. HUTCHISON, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, 

Mrs. HAGAN, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. ENZI, Mr. 

CRAPO, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. BENNET, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. 

AKAKA, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. RUBIO, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. 

CASEY, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. REED, Mr. BINGAMAN, Ms. 

STABENOW, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. WARNER, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. BROWN of 

Ohio, 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 the immense contributions of Latinos to the United 

States. 

Whereas beginning on September 15, 2012, through October 

15, 2012, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage 

Month; 

Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population in the United States at over 52,000,000 people, 

making Hispanic Americans the largest racial or ethnic 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 582 ATS 

minority group within the United States overall and in 

25 individual States; 

Whereas Latinos accounted for over 1⁄2 of all population 

growth from July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2011; 

Whereas the Hispanic population in the United States is projected to grow to 132,800,000 by July 1, 2050, at which 

point the Hispanic population will comprise 30 percent of 

the total population in the United States; 

Whereas nearly 1 in 4 United States public school students 

is Hispanic, and the total number of Hispanic students 

enrolled in public schools in the United States is expected 

to reach 28,000,000 by 2050; 

Whereas 16.5 percent of all college students between the age 

of 18 and 24 years old are Hispanics, making Hispanics 

the largest racial or ethnic minority group on college 

campuses in the United States, including both 2-year 

community colleges and 4-year colleges and universities; 

Whereas the purchasing power of Hispanic Americans was 

$1,000,000,000,000 in 2010 and is expected to grow 50 

percent to $1,500,000,000 by 2015; 

Whereas there are approximately 2,300,000 Hispanic-owned 

firms in the United States, supporting millions of employees nationwide and greatly contributing to the economic sector, especially retail trade, wholesale trade, food 

services, and construction; 

Whereas as of June 2012, nearly 25,000,0000 Hispanic 

workers represented 16 percent of the total labor force in 

the United States, with the share of Latino labor force 

participation expected to grow to 18 percent by 2018; 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 582 ATS 

Whereas Hispanic Americans serve in all branches of the 

Armed Forces and have bravely fought in every war in 

the history of the United States; 

Whereas as of July 2012, 143,054 Hispanic active duty service members served with distinction in the United States 

Armed Forces in fiscal year 2012; 

Whereas as of June 30, 2012, there were 19,752 Hispanics 

serving in Afghanistan; 

Whereas as of May 7, 2012, 645 United States military fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan have been Hispanic; 

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 

even though Hispanics comprised only 4.5 percent of the 

United States population at the time; 

Whereas 140,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean 

War; 

Whereas as of September 2012, there are approximately 

1,300,000 living Hispanic veterans of the United States 

Armed Forces; 

Whereas 44 Hispanic Americans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed on 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 on the Supreme Court, 2 seats in the Senate, 

29 seats in the House of Representatives, and 2 seats in 

the Cabinet; and 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
4 

•SRES 582 ATS 

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, 2012, through Oc4 tober 15, 2012; 

5 (2) esteems the integral role of Latinos and the 

6 manifold heritage of Latinos in the economy, cul7 ture, and identity of the United States; 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 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS