Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the gentlemen for allowing me the privilege of joining my brothers and sisters in the Hispanic Caucus for really…”

“I thank the gentlemen for allowing me the privilege of joining my brothers and sisters in the Hispanic Caucus for really a moment of history in this historic legislation authored by our dear friend, Congressman Serrano from New York, the National Museum of the American Latino Act. Madam Speaker, I have watched Congressman Serrano for all the years that he has served, and I do want to take this moment to say what an honor to have been able to serve with him. He walked among giants as a civil rights activist in this Congress. You could always count on his voice for upholding civil rights and justice, and his leadership on the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee is well evident. I thank him again for his leadership. In the opening findings of this legislation, it says: ``The United States is a symbol of democracy, freedom, and economic opportunity around the world, and the legacy of Latinos is deeply rooted in the very fabric of the history, democracy, freedom, and economic opportunity of the United States.'' It is long overdue for our memory to be able to reflect that that is true across this Nation. I have had the privilege in Texas to count as some very dear friends the entire Hispanic-Latin community, and it is in their name so many heroes and sheroes in our community walked alongside so many of us for justice of any kind.…”