Reid Celebrates Achievements of Hispanic Americans

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Reid Celebrates Achievements of Hispanic Americans
by sarah
Last Thursday marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the many contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to help shape our nation.

For hundreds of years, Hispanic Americans have represented our country on the battlefield, in the classroom and in the workplace.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to pay tribute to their dedication. The time period, September 15 through October 15, spans the days on which Latin American countries gained their independence from Spain.

Today, there are 50 million Hispanic Americans. They play a crucial role in American society, helping to create jobs nationwide, for example. More than 2.3 million Hispanic-owned businesses employ millions of Americans, and provide crucial goods and services.

Nevada Senator Reid took to the Senate floor on Thursday to honor this achievement and others.

Hispanic Americans “have spurred progress in the laboratory, playing field… and in our halls of justice. They have shaped our art and literature [and] the way we farm and the way we do business,” he said.

Hispanic Americans have also played an important role in times of conflict. Their military service stretches back to the Revolutionary War. In the last decade, nearly 30,000 Hispanic Americans have fought for the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And it’s clear that they are contributing greatly across the country.

In Nevada, for example, Hispanic Americans make up more than a quarter of the state population. Their work is evident at construction sites, casinos and shopping centers, noted Reid.

Their language even helped influence the state name. In Spanish, “Nevada” means “snow-covered.” The phrase “snow-covered” refers to the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevadas.

Reid said he looks forward to the opportunity Hispanic Heritage Month brings each year “to honor a culture and people that are such an integral part of our national identity.”

Nevada Senator Reid took to the Senate floor on Thursday to honor this achievement and others.

Hispanic Americans “have spurred progress in the laboratory, playing field… and in our halls of justice. They have shaped our art and literature [and] the way we farm and the way we do business,” he said.

Hispanic Americans have also played an important role in times of conflict. Their military service stretches back to the Revolutionary War. In the last decade, nearly 30,000 Hispanic Americans have fought for the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And it’s clear that they are contributing greatly across the country.

In Nevada, for example, Hispanic Americans make up more than a quarter of the state population. Their work is evident at construction sites, casinos and shopping centers, noted Reid.

Their language even helped influence the state name. In Spanish, “Nevada” means “snow-covered.” The phrase “snow-covered” refers to the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevadas.

Reid said he looks forward to the opportunity Hispanic Heritage Month brings each year “to honor a culture and people that are such an integral part of our national identity.”

http://democrats.senate.gov/2011/09/19/ ... americans/