RNC Statement on the Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

By Matt Sauvage

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following statement celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month:

“Today we begin a month-long celebration of the contributions made by generations of Hispanic Americans to our culture and country,” said Chairman Priebus.  “With a spirit of hard-work, entrepreneurship, and dedication to family, Hispanics have helped build America’s greatness and defended her freedoms.

“Since the first Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988 under President Reagan, it has been an opportunity to recognize the shared values that unite us. Today, though, we are also bound together by the difficult economic times we face.  The economy has been particularly hard on Hispanic workers.  America is suffering from a 9.1 percent unemployment rate, while that figure among the Latino community is above 11 percent.

“On behalf of the Republican Party, I pledge to those in the Latino community who have been adversely affected by the President’s economic policies that Republicans are working hard to elect leaders that will ensure you can find work and that your businesses can thrive.

“In America, our diverse backgrounds make us wonderfully unique, but we stand united in our love of country and pursuit of the American Dream.  And that is something to celebrate year-round.”

“As Republicans work to promote sound economic policies, those leading the charge are increasingly Hispanic leaders,” said Co-Chairman Day.  “All first-time Latino member of Congress elected in 2010—five in the House and one in the Senate—were Republicans.  And the nation’s first Latina Governor, Susana Martinez of New Mexico, is also a Republican.

“This month, we also salute the millions of Hispanics who have served and who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Their service and sacrifices, like those of so many others, will never be forgotten.  We thank Hispanic Americans for enriching and strengthening our country.  Their traditions and values make us a better nation.”