Russ Feingold: “Today and throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the proud history of our Nation's Hispanic community, and we pay…”

“Today and throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the proud history of our Nation's Hispanic community, and we pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions that people of Hispanic heritage have made and continue to make to the United States. In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration. During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The celebration begins on September 15 because that is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries--Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people whose roots extend back to more than 20 different nations around the world and who are an integral part of America's communities. Currently, there are more than 43 million Hispanic Americans, the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. Hispanic Americans are the most decorated ethnic group in the history of our military, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions to our Nation's defense.”