|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, September 15, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) today met with 5th District constituents who attended the Democratic Hispanic Leadership Summit on Capitol Hill to mark the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, which will be observed today through October 15th. Last night, Hoyer attended the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Gala. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute includes Members of Congress of Hispanic descent, and is led by Chairwoman Grace Napolitano (CA).
At the day-long summit, Rosa Amo, President of the Prince George’s Hispanic Latino Chamber (left in picture), and Ruby Stemmle, Director of Latino Affairs, Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County (right in picture), heard from Democratic leaders, and participated in policy discussions on issues including Latino homeownership, education and business opportunities, the image of Latinos in the entertainment industry, and improving Latino representation and participation in the political process. The summit concluded with a panel discussion featuring prominent Latinos from the television industry and political arena.
Below is Congressman Hoyer’s statement celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month:
“I am honored to join Chairwoman Grace Napolitano and the other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. America’s Hispanic community is a dynamic and vibrant group that plays a vital role in American society. I am proud that the Democratic Party has such strong Latino representation at all levels of government, from Antonio Villaraigosa, the first Latino mayor elected in Los Angeles since 1872, to an increasing number of Latino members here in the U.S. House of Representatives, including my colleague, Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Menendez.
“Hispanics comprise the largest and fastest growing minority in America and all of us should appreciate the challenges this growth brings to our nation. Unfortunately, newly released data from the Census Bureau shows that the policies pursued by the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans have done little to address the needs of Latino families. For instance, the average household income of Latino families is $34,241, an astounding $10,000 less than the national average; over one-fifth of the Latino community lives in poverty, a percentage which is nearly double the national average; and the Latino unemployment rate is nearly a full percentage point higher than the national average.
“Democrats will continue to promote policies that ensure opportunity and protect economic and health security for Latino families, and fight Republican efforts to privatize Social Security and cut funding for education, small businesses, Medicare and Medicaid.
“It is my hope that Hispanic Heritage Month helps our nation not only recognize the contributions of Latinos to our country but also shed light on some of the challenges faced by an important part of our community.”
###
|
|
