Raúl Grijalva: “I thank the gentleman for yielding to give me an opportunity to speak on behalf of H.R. 2420, legislation introduced by…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding to give me an opportunity to speak on behalf of H.R. 2420, legislation introduced by our esteemed friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), a pioneer and a powerful advocate for Latino people in his time in this Congress. And the whole Nation, all Americans have benefited from his work, and we are all grateful for what he has done for many people in this country. I have a brief story. You will hear a lot about the statistical importance and the history that needs to be told, but I have a brief story. You know, I am a first-generation American citizen. My parents migrated and immigrated into this country with the distinct goal of giving their kids a chance. And to that end, they did. But, see, my story is not unique, nor is it, for that matter, extraordinary. It is the story that binds all the diversity of Latinos together, a shared experience and a shared demand for respect, fairness, and to be treated as equals. The Latino Museum, this vote, comes at a time of forced divisions in this country, attempts to demonize and marginalize Latinos by the highest voice in this land. Our American history and identity are also Latino history and identity and, through this history, the United States exists. Latino history, like American history, is ongoing, it is evolving, but to tell the full stories, the scars, the current wounds, the changes, the unsung leaders in all arenas, with that story also comes hope.…”