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LARSON PRAISES CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATINO COMMUNITY ON 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

September 19, 2000
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2000

LARSON PRAISES CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATINO COMMUNITY ON 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTHWASHINGTON- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) marked the 13th Anniversary of Hispanic Heritage month by hailing the many contributions that the Latino community has made to Connecticut and the nation.

Hispanic Heritage Month was first celebrated in 1988, prior to 1988, the United States celebrated Hispanic Heritage Week beginning in 1968, which is why it is only the 13th Anniversary.

"It is important that we take opportunities such as this to recognize the important contributions that the Hispanic community, which is rich in culture and history, makes to Connecticut and the rest of the country," said Larson. "Among registered voters, Hispanics have a higher voter turnout rate than the rest of the population, which says a great deal about the Hispanic community and their sense duty and commitment to participating American society as citizens."

In 1998, there were 30.8 million Latinos in the United States, comprising 11.4% of the U.S. population; it is projected that by 2050, Latinos will make up 25% of the population. Also, by 2005 Hispanics will be the largest minority group in the United States.

"The contributions that Hispanics have made to our military since the Revolutionary War are also tremendously significant," said Larson. "There are 80,000 Hispanic men and women currently serving in the Armed Forces and over 1,000,000 Latino veterans living in the United States. In addition, the strength of the Latino community continues to grow, with the number of Latino-owned firms growing by 76% from 1987 to 1992, and next year there will be over 2 million, employing 1.5 million workers next year."

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