Wednesday March 24th, 2021

Cortez Masto, Menendez Introduce Bicameral Resolution Recognizing the Heritage, Culture, and Contributions of Latinas

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced a resolution to celebrate and honor the contributions of Latinas in the United States. The Senators’ resolution, introduced during National Women’s History Month, honors the heritage, culture and contributions of Latinas in a variety of fields while acknowledging the pervasive barriers that prevent their full recognition as equal members of society. Representative Lou Correa (D-Calif.) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives. 

“Latinas are serving in our armed forces and as essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet there are too many barriers preventing them from being  appropriately represented and recognized in our nation,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “As the first Latina elected to the United States Senate, I know there are many unique challenges to overcome, and I am proud to introduce this resolution to call out the inequities that remain for Latina women while celebrating their many achievements. Latinas have made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to our economic strength and social fabric, and we must recommit ourselves to working towards a more equitable future together.” 

“My mother was the heart of our family and the hardest-working person I’ve known – and like her, Latinas are the very heart and soul of many communities and neighborhoods across the nation,” said Senator Menendez. “This very fact has been on display every day over the last year of this pandemic. Latinas have struggled to keep our families afloat, while disproportionately working essential jobs that have kept the economic engines of our country going. That is why I am proud to be leading this resolution alongside my friend and a fierce Latina leader, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. Together with our colleagues, we are saying a collective thank you to every Latina across the nation for all of their invaluable contributions to our society.”

In addition to Senators Cortez Masto and Menendez, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Time Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Debbi Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).

A copy of the resolution can be found HERE and below:

Title: Recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States. 

Whereas the United States celebrates National Women’s History Month every March to recognize and honor the achievements of women throughout the history of the United States;

Whereas there are nearly 29,000,000 Latinas living in the United States[1];

Whereas 1 in 6 women in the United States is a Latina[2];

Whereas Latinas have helped shape the history of the United States since its inception;

Whereas Latinas contribute to the society of the United States through working in many industries, including business, education, science and technology, medicine, engineering, mathematics, literature and the arts, the military, agriculture, hospitality, and public service;

Whereas Latinas serve as essential workers during the COVID–19 pandemic, filling vital positions that keep the economy going and the people of the United States safe;

Whereas Latinas come from diverse cultures across North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, and Afro-Latinas face disparities in recognition;

Whereas Latinas are dedicated public servants, holding posts at the highest levels of the Federal Government, including the Supreme Court of the United States, Cabinet-level positions, the United States Senate, and the United States House of Representatives;

Whereas Latinas make up an estimated 19 percent of women serving in the Armed Forces, and the first Latina to become a general in the Marine Corps reached that rank in 2006[3];

Whereas Latinas are breaking the glass ceiling in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with the first Latina to travel into space doing so during a 9-day Space Shuttle Discovery mission in 1993;

Whereas Latinas own more than 2,000,000 businesses, and 18 percent of all women-owned companies in the United States are owned by a Latina[4];

Whereas Latina activists have led the fight for civil rights, including labor rights, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and racial equality;

Whereas Latinas create award-winning art and are recipients of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards;

Whereas Latina singers and songwriters, like Selena, also known as the Queen of Tejano music, and Celia Cruz, also known as the Queen of Salsa, have made lasting and significant contributions to music throughout the world;

Whereas Latinas serve in the medical profession, and the first female and first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States was appointed in 1990;

Whereas Latinas serve as journalists, reporting vital news and information to the public;

Whereas Latinas are world-class athletes, representing the United States in the Olympics and other international competitions;

Whereas Latinas are paid just 55 cents for every dollar paid to White, non-Hispanic men[5];

Whereas, in the face of societal obstacles, including unequal pay, disparities in education, health care needs, and civil rights struggles, Latinas continue to break through and thrive;

Whereas the United States should continue to invest in the future of Latinas to address the barriers they face; and

Whereas, by 2060, Latinas will represent 1/4 of the female population of the United States[6]: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) celebrates and honors the successes of Latinas and the contributions they have made and continue to make to the United States; and

(2) recognizes the changes that are still to be made to ensure that Latinas can realize their full potential as equal members of society.

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