Bennet Statement in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

Washington, DC – Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, released the following statement in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Bennet recently cosponsored a Senate Resolution recognizing  Hispanic Heritage Month which lasts from September 15, 2011, through October 15, 2011. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates this country’s Latino culture and heritage and the many contributions that Latinos have made to the United States.

“From the time of our state’s founding, Colorado’s Latino community has been a vibrant and essential part of the fabric of our state and country. Coloradans can take great pride in the state’s Latino heritage and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of the many Latinos who have helped make Colorado a better place to work, live and raise a family as well as those who have served our country in the armed forces.

“As superintendent of the Denver Public Schools and more recently as a senator, I’ve worked closely with Latino students, families and local leaders who work hard every day to support their communities and to help move Colorado forward, driven by the values of hard work, faith and family – values that all Coloradans and Americans share. I look forward to continuing to work on the issues that matter to the Latino community and to all of Colorado like improving our schools so that they prepare our kids for college and beyond, continuing to fight for the passage of the DREAM Act that will opens the doors of opportunity for thousands of hard working young people and creating good-paying 21st century jobs here in Colorado.”

Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law in 1988.  This 30-day period includes the anniversaries of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile.  This year’s theme celebrates the strength and hard work of Hispanic Americans.