October 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 162 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages S5785-S5786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, during National Hispanic Heritage Month, 
we are called to honor the contributions of a critical community--that 
of Hispanic Americans. Now accounting for 60 million individuals in the 
United States, these men and women are an essential pillar of our 
society. Although this group has grown significantly in recent decades, 
individuals of Hispanic descent and culture have been with our Nation 
since its very founding.
  Hispanic identity is a complex concept, at least with respect to how 
many in the United States traditionally understand race and ethnicity. 
The word ``Hispanic'' stems from ``Hispanic,'' the Latin name for the 
ancient Roman colonies on the Iberian Peninsula that also serves as the 
origin for the modem state of Espana, or Spain. It was there that the 
Spanish or Castilian language, culture, and people developed out of the 
convergence of Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Celts, Basques, Visigoths 
and Arabs, in addition to Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
  The story does not end there. Along the hallowed walls of the U.S. 
Capitol Rotunda are two paintings by John Vanderlyn depicting key 
historical scenes. In 1492, the Spanish Catholic Monarchs King 
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella agreed to sponsor the journey of 
Christopher Columbus in search of a passage to the East Indies. 
Columbus failed at this goal, but, as the Landing of Columbus 
illustrates, he did land in the island now named San Salvador in the 
Bahamas. This voyage prompted the Spanish exploration and colonization 
of the Americas, including North America, reaching as far as 
Mississippi in 1541, as depicted by William Henry Powell's Discovery of 
the Mississippi by De Soto, and even deep into the Pacific Northwest.
  Even then, however, we are still missing other key elements of the 
story. The Spanish were not alone. They encountered vast empires, the 
Aztecs and the Incas, in addition to hundreds of other peoples, from 
the Mapuche in Argentina to the Maya in Guatemala. Colonization was a 
bloody process that uprooted and killed millions of indigenous people. 
Moreover, the Spanish brought millions of Africans to the Americas as 
part of the Atlantic slave trade. Men, women, and children had to 
struggle in cruel and terrible conditions as the property of others. 
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that the indigenous and African 
communities have helped make the Hispanic community what it is today, 
whether it's in culture, art, music, food, language, or even the 
genetic makeup of the people themselves. Significant portions of the 
Hispanic community can trace their descent to these two groups--at 
least in part, if not entirely.
  The exploration and colonization that would lead to the creation of 
the Hispanic world in the Americas would, in turn, set the stage for 
English to do the same later, beginning with the first permanent 
settlement in Jamestown, VA, in 1607. Eventually, these English 
colonies would sever themselves from the British Empire and form the 
United States of America. But Spanish colonies would continue to 
influence our Nation throughout our history. Multiple territories, such 
as Florida, Texas, California, and Puerto Rico, became integral parts 
of our country. Others, inspired by the principles of the Enlightenment 
and the examples of the American and French Revolutions, became their 
own independent countries. They have since been our neighbors in the 
Western Hemisphere and some of our most critical partners in trade, 
security, and championing the virtues of democracy.
  Congress established National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 
15 to October 15 in recognition of the pivotal contributions and legacy 
of this community that traces its roots to Spain, Mexico, Central 
America, South America, the Caribbean, and further beyond. Millions, 
such as the Hispanos of New Mexico and the Tejanos of Texas, are the 
descendants of settlers who have been on these lands for centuries. 
Starting in the twentieth century, millions of individuals from across 
the Hispanic world have come to our Nation as immigrants. Since 2000, 
the Hispanic population in Maryland has more than doubled, now 
accounting for half a million people, or nearly 10 percent of all 
Marylanders. Our State is home to a diverse community of individuals 
with origins from across the Hispanic world, with sizeable populations 
of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Peruvians.
  Yet we must recognize that this community faces distinct challenges. 
Instability continues to hamper the abilities

[[Page S5786]]

of already fragile states in our hemisphere, and dangerous conditions 
abroad prompt many to leave everything behind to pursue a safer 
existence. As the Hispanic-American population has grown, racism, 
hatred, and naked xenophobia have unfortunately grown with it. Given 
these trying circumstances, we must recognize the obligations that 
arise from our shared humanity to assist those in need and to welcome 
and celebrate our differences.
  Hispanic Americans have done so much to support and make the United 
States of America the exceptional nation that it is today. They have 
made groundbreaking discoveries and innovations in science and 
technology. They have shown us new ideas, art and music, and cuisine. 
They have created new products and jobs as entrepreneurs and business 
owners, and they have led our communities as dutiful elected 
representatives of the people. They have fought and are fighting today 
to protect our way of life and to promote our interests and ideals 
abroad. During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate this 
community's countless contributions, but not necessarily as something 
new. Hispanic Americans have played an important role in the American 
story since its very beginning.

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