Joe Baca: “today I rise to bring about the awareness of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15 and continues through…”

“today I rise to bring about the awareness of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15 and continues through October 5. Today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 29 million people of the United States are of Hispanic origin. This is about 10 percent of the country. Close to half of those reside in California. More than 600,000 reside in my district of San Bernardino County. Why, just the other day, the Los Angeles Times was discussing the fact that, in California, Hispanics are no longer the minority. That is why this coming month is a time for all Latinos to be able to recognize the great accomplishments by the people here in the States as well as around the world. We recognize the great achievements of people like Cesar Chavez who led the fight for the protection of farm workers' health and health rights; Bishop Barnes, who represents San Bernardino Riverside Catholic Diocese; Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, who wrote about the great Don Quixote; and people like Andres Segovia, Tito Peuntes, and Julio Iglesias, who were and still are some of the best Spanish musicians in the world. The teachings and contributions of Hispanics like these, and learning about the cultures from which they come, are how we are able to continue our tradition through our youth. In many of our classrooms around the country, teachers will hold activities and discussions that will focus on what our ancestors have accomplished.”