IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 783 
Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the vast contributions 
of Hispanic-Americans to the strength and culture of the United States. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida (for himself, Mr. MEEKS of New York, 
Mr. PIERLUISI, Mr. NUNES, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. 
PENCE, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. ROSKAM, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. 
ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. FILNER, Mr. BACA, Mr. DENT, Mr. MCCOTTER, 
Ms. HIRONO, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. LARSON of 
Connecticut, and Mr. BURTON of Indiana) submitted the following resolu-
tion; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the 
vast contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the strength 
and culture of the United States. 
Whereas from September 15, 2009, through October 15, 
2009, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage 
Month; 
Whereas the presence of Hispanics in North America pre-
dates 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; 
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•HRES 783 IH 
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-Ameri-
cans 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; 
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 Ar-
izona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, 
Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Is-
land, 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 rev-
enue in 2002, up 19 percent from 1997; 
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•HRES 783 IH 
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 
‘‘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 distinc-
tion; 
Whereas many Hispanic-Americans are dedicated public serv-
ants, 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 His-
panic-Americans to the strength and culture of the 
United States; and 
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•HRES 783 IH 
(3) encourages the people of the United States 
to observe Hispanic Heritage Month with appro-
priate programs and activities. 
Æ 
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