Good evening everyone. I am honored and extremely delighted to be here tonight celebrating Hispanic contributions to the entertainment industry.
Time of Great Opportunity As Hispanic-Americans, as immigrants or descendents of immigrants, all of us here tonight have a life story to tell. And most of our stories involve seeking economic and political freedom.
My story is like many of yours. I came with my family from Cuba when I was six. We worked hard, learned English and benefited from the power of freedom.
I was very fortunate to have many people help me along the way. Some were role models like the people we're honoring tonight.
So, thank you, Jimmy Smits and Felix Sanchez, and all the others connected with the Foundation for 10 years of leadership in helping young people get an education, for giving them direction, for helping them along the way, for showing them that it can be done--that you can make it in this industry!! And to John Singleton, Michael Peña and Wilmer Valderrama--thank you for seeing the value in working to tell the stories of not only Latinos, but all Americans.
Rising Role for Hispanic Americans Hispanic Americans are playing an ever-expanding role in setting the direction of our country.
Politics And no matter where you stand on this issue, I think most of us would agree that it is the domestic social issue of our time. I believe we have an obligation to make immigration work.
President Bush has provided great leadership. He has called for comprehensive immigration reform.
The English, Irish, Germans, Poles, Italians, Chinese, Filipinos, Vietnamese and countless others--they've all come. And all have made their mark. All have made a significant difference.
Today, it's our turn. This is our time. Many of you here tonight are part of this Hispanic Wave, while some of us came before.
This wave brings great opportunity. And it will bring new energy and vitality to the country.
But it also brings great responsibility. Like all the others who have come before us, we need to commit to making a better society. We need to do our part, to become part of the mainstream, and to love this country.
And we need to do it with a great deal of passion.
So tonight, I appeal to you....
Be leaders. Believe in this great country. Be an active part of it. Make it stronger. Make it even better.
I know we can do that....
Thank you very much.
God bless.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
