H. Res. 783 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

October 29, 2009. 

Whereas from September 15, 2009, through October 15, 

2009, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage 

Month; 

Whereas the presence of Hispanics in North America predates the founding of the United States, and, as among 

the first to settle in the New World, Hispanics and their 

descendants have had a profound and lasting influence on 

the history, values, and culture of the United States; 

Whereas since the arrival of the earliest Spanish settlers 

more than 400 years ago, millions of Hispanic men and 

women have come to the United States from Mexico, 

Cuba, and other Caribbean regions, Central America, 

South America, and Spain, in search of freedom, peace, 

and opportunity; 

Whereas Hispanic-Americans have contributed throughout 

the ages to the prosperity and culture of the United 

States; 

Whereas the Bureau of the Census now lists Hispanic-Americans as the largest ethnic minority within the United 

States with a population of 46,900,000, comprising 15 

percent of the Nation’s total population; 
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•HRES 783 EH 

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, 16 States 

have at least a half-million Hispanic residents, including 

Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, 

Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New 

York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and 

Washington; 

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, Hispanics 

are the largest minority group in 20 States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, 

Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; 

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, there are 

1,600,000 Hispanic-owned businesses operating in areas 

including construction, administrative and support, waste 

management and remediation services, and retail and 

wholesale trade that generated $222,000,000,000 in revenue in 2002, up 19 percent from 1997; 

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, the rate of 

growth of Hispanic-owned businesses between 1997 and 

2002 tripled to 31 percent compared with the national 

average of 10 percent for all businesses; 

Whereas Hispanic-Americans serve in all branches of the 

United States Armed Forces and have fought valiantly in 

every war in the history of the United States; 

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, there are 

1,100,000 Hispanic veterans of the United States Armed 

Forces; 

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest United States 

military distinction, awarded since the Civil War for 
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‘‘conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life 

above and beyond the call of duty’’; 

Whereas 43 men of Hispanic origin have earned this distinction; 

Whereas many Hispanic-Americans are dedicated public servants, holding posts at the highest levels of government, 

including Cabinet Secretaries, Members of the House of 

Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court; and 

Whereas Hispanic-Americans have a deep commitment to 

faith, family, and community, an enduring work ethic, 

and a perseverance to succeed: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month; 

(2) celebrates the vast contributions of HispanicAmericans to the strength and culture of the United 

States; and 

(3) encourages the people of the United States to 

observe Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities. 

Attest: 

Clerk.