Hispanic Heritage Month

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the work and achievements of Hispanic Americans. Every year since 1968 Americans have formally recognized the importance of Hispanic heritage and the contributions of Latino members of society. Hispanic Heritage Month allows the Nation's 41 million Latinos, along with all Americans, to celebrate Latino community and culture.

As the fastest growing population in America, Hispanics have the potential to significantly impact society through their hard work, commitment to faith and closely-knit families. Aida Gianchello is one of the Latina Americans who are changing the world. Aida founded the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center at the University of Chicago at Illinois. From this Center, Aida works within the Latino community and with the public health network to address health problems that disproportionately affect Latinos, including life-threatening diabetes, asthma and hypertension.

This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting three women from Illinois about to graduate from the National Hispana Leadership Institute. Juanita Irizarry is the executive director of Latinos United, a housing policy and advocacy organization in the Chicago area. Eva Serrano is director of community and school partnerships at Aurora University. Elena Tijerina is a partner at Lucent Technologies. These are powerful women, already participating in civic, business and community affairs, moving forward in leadership. We are lucky to have them in Illinois.

I also must mention my friend Al Galvan. Al is a veteran of World War II and the founder of the first Hispanic organization for Hispanic American veterans. The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently bestowed its life-time achievement award on Al Galvan.

Despite the remarkable accomplishments of many Hispanic leaders, Hispanic Americans still face daunting challenges, including the 14 million who do not have health coverage, as well as dangerously low levels of income. But they are rising to face these challenges--the rate of minority enrollment in post-secondary institutions continues to grow, as does the number of small businesses owned by Latinos. Leaders are recognizing the problems faced particularly by Latinos and are offering specific solutions. Aida Gianchello led the charge to serve struggling neighborhoods in Chicago by setting up three diabetes-focused self-care centers which each reach about a thousand residents a month, many undocumented and uninsured.

Individual efforts, like those of the Illinois leaders I have mentioned here today, make me proud to acknowledge the work and achievements of Latinos throughout Illinois and the country. It is only with the continued dedication and appropriate appreciation of Hispanic Heritage that the Latino culture will grow and thrive in America.

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