Robert Menendez

06/09/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/09/2023 16:27

U.S. Sen. Menendez, Rep. Torres Lead Colleagues in Introducing Bicameral Resolution Honoring June as Immigrant Heritage Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15) announced they are leading a bicameral group of colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing June as "Immigrant Heritage Month."

"As the proud son of Cuban refugees, my family's immigrant story has guided me throughout my life. Thanks to them and their many sacrifices, I was able to rise from a tenement in New Jersey to be one of 100 United States Senators," said Sen. Menendez (D-NJ). "I am proud to be leading this bicameral resolution with Rep. Ritchie Torres to recognize immigrants and their families for their many contributions to the fabric of America and for everything they do to strengthen America's promise. This resolution is a reaffirmation of my commitment to always stand with immigrant families all across the country and achieve bold, humane, and inclusive immigration reform together."

"The story of immigrants is the story of America," said U.S. Rep. Torres (NY-15). "I am proud to represent one of the most diverse districts in the country - home to immigrants from all over the world who have come here for the opportunity to make a better life for themselves and their families. With this bicameral resolution, we celebrate and uplift their stories, successes, and contributions to our way of life that have shaped American culture for the better for generations and affirmed the promise of our great country. I am grateful to Senator Menendez and all our colleagues for joining us in this effort to acknowledge the vibrancy and strength of immigrant communities, sending a powerful message that we stand with them and will always welcome them."

The resolution celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of immigrants and their children in making the United States a healthier, safer, more diverse, and prosperous country and acknowledges the importance of immigrants and their children to the future successes of the U.S.

Specifically, the resolution recognizes immigrants who bravely served in the armed forces since the founding of the U.S., the enormous impact of immigrants' spending power on the U.S. economy, and the immigrant essential workers who provided care to their fellow Americans during COVID-19.

Joining Sen. Menendez in cosponsoring the Senate resolution are Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

Joining Rep. Torres in cosponsoring the House resolution are Reps. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Del. Eleanor Holms Norton (D.C.-At-Large), Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-Calif.-44), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.-31), Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.-46), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Barbara Lee (D-Calif-12), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.-02), Juan Vargas (D-Calif-52), Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.-09), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.-03), Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.-08), Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif-38), Marc A. Veasey (D-Texas-33), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.-06), Bonnie Coleman Watson (D-N.J.-12), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.-02), Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07), Jesus G. "Chuy" Garcia (D-Ill.-04), Doris O. Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas-16), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.-07), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.-14), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Jill N. Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.-24), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-Ga.-04), Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.-16), Andre Carson (D-Ind.-07), and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.-05).

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