WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Bob Menendez, and other Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus at the seventh annual Democratic Hispanic Summit today. Below are Pelosi's remarks: "Thank you, Leader Reid. Thank you for your hospitality here this afternoon. Here we are again, another day of dialogue with the Hispanic community from across the country.
"In the House of Representatives, we have so many Members of the Hispanic Caucus led by the Chair, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California. Congresswoman Napolitano is one of our caucus's most effective advocates for a New Direction for all Americans.
"I am proud to join Senator Reid as we observe Hispanic Heritage Month and the accomplishments and contributions of the Hispanic community to our country. I'm proud to join you in presenting the 'Compromiso Democrata con el Pueblo Latino: A New Direction for Latino Families,' our commitment to the Hispanic community for a better future.
"But first I want to thank the community. You have been a constant reinvigoration of America for centuries. My state of California can attest to that as well as those who show up on our shores or in our country on a daily basis. It's a constant reinvigoration with optimism, with hope, with courage, with determination, to make a better life for their families. Everybody who comes here with that spirit makes America more American.
"So in that spirit, I acknowledge the leadership of the Hispanic community and I thank you for your considerable contribution to the national security of our country. We all know that in many homes across the country, a great source of pride is the photo of the young man or woman in uniform who is serving our country, making America stronger. Thank you to the Hispanic community for your patriotism and strength.
"'Compromiso Democrata con el Pueblo Latino: A New Direction for Latino Families,' talks about promoting economic empowerment for Latino families. Part of the proposal is to raise the minimum wage, which affects millions of Hispanics in our country. It talks about all that can be done for small businesses. So many Latinos are involved with small businesses. And nobody understands the issue better or has done more to advocate for small businesses in the country, than our own Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez of New York, who will soon be the Chair of the Small Business Committee.
"Senator Reid talked about quality education, and God willing if we have the opportunity in January, we will pass the DREAM Act. It's the American dream; that's what people flock for our shore for so many years. Why should it stop now? And then access to affordable health care, dignified retirement for our seniors. We have a golden pledge to preserve Social Security.
"With immigration reform, we have the answer: comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform that recognizes the contribution that newcomers make to our country, secures our border, secures our workplace, but provides a path to legalization to the many people who are already here. And we want to do so by building bridges, not by building walls.
"I am proud of the Compromiso Democrata con el Pueblo Latino. This is our commitment to you. We will do this to make our country stronger, and make the Latino community's fulfillment in our country one that is the face of America into the future."
To view the Democratic Hispanic Agenda in its entirety - in English - please visit the following site: http://democrats.senate.gov/pdfs/compromiso_eng_92106.pdf
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