Prieto Statement in Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson) issued the following statement Thursday honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month:

“As a Hispanic American, I am proud to honor the rich contributions that our community has made to this country.  From Cesar Chavez, Roberto Clemente, and Sonya Sotomayor to Oscar de la Renta, Jorge Ramos, and Cristina Saralegui, just to name a few, Hispanics and Latinos from all walks of life have had a lasting and profound influence on every corner of our culture.

“From Central America to South America to the Caribbean to Spain, Hispanic culture is as varied as it is indelible, but one thing is undeniable – all Hispanic Americans cherish the liberties enshrined in our constitution and the opportunities afforded under those rights.

“Now more than ever, it’s important for us to honor the important marks Hispanics and Latinos have made on our country.  We are nothing, if not a melting pot, and to ignore that fact would be to ignore the history of our nation.

“I urge every resident to join with me in recognizing the contributions of New Jersey’s vibrant Hispanic and Latino communities,” said Prieto.