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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi and House Democrats Honor Puerto Ricans’ Contributions to the Nation
Washington, D.C. – In honor of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade that will be celebrated on Sunday in New York City, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today paid tribute to the major contributions of Puerto Ricans to the United States.
The Puerto Rican community represents the second largest national origin group among Hispanics. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917, and currently, there are nearly 8 million Puerto Ricans in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
“For more than a century, Puerto Ricans have significantly contributed to the development, defense, and prosperity of the United States,” Pelosi said. “As the presence and influence of the Hispanic population in the United States continues to grow, so will that of the Puerto Rican community and consequently, their contribution to American society.”
Puerto Ricans have made extraordinary sacrifices in our country’s military. Nearly 250,000 Puerto Ricans, from both the United States and the Commonwealth, have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The most distinguished has been the 65th Infantry, an all-Puerto Rican division whose members received countless awards from their service in Korea. Thousands more Puerto Ricans are now contributing to our national defense in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries of the world.
“Democrats join to celebrate the pride and culture of Puerto Ricans,” Pelosi said. “We honor their service, their patriotism, and we will continue to work together to improve the lives of Puerto Rican working families and all Americans.”
Pelosi said she is proud to lead the most diverse caucus in Congress, which includes three Members of Congress of Puerto Rican descent: José Serrano and Nydia Velázquez of New York, and Luis Gutiérrez of Illinois. “There are many other prominent Puerto Rican elected officials at the state and local level. I am also proud of the work that many of my Democratic colleagues did to achieve peace for the island of Vieques, and we will continue to work to improve the health of the residents there.”
Many Puerto Ricans have excelled in the world of the arts, sciences, journalism, business, sports and other professions. Raúl Juliá, Rita Moreno, Benicio del Toro, and Roselyn Sanchéz are among the many talented Puerto Rican Hollywood stars. Performers such as Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Jennifer López, Daddy Yankee, Willie Colón, Tito Puente, and many others have delighted American audiences with their music.
In the world of sports, boricuas such as Roberto Clemente, Félix Trinidad, Carlos Arroyo, Bernie Williams, Juan González, John Ruíz, Carlos Delgado, and Iván Rodríguez, have inspired thousands of young athletes, not only in the United States, but in all of Latin America. Writers Rosario Ferré and Luis Rafael Sánchez are internationally renowned. In the field of public advocacy and community service, prominent Puerto Ricans such as Manuel Mirabal, Lucy Cabrera and María Elena Gironé continue to improve the quality of life of their community. Also, Puerto Rican engineers have especially excelled in NASA.
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
