SAN JUAN, RGV – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa has had a strong bond with La Unión del Pueblo Entero and the farmworkers movement for decades.
He has participated in marches with farm workers, authored legislation in support of colonia residents, and spoken at citizenship graduation ceremonies held by LUPE.
Hinojosa famously spoke to the LUPE membership immediately after voting in Congress on the “too big to fail” banking legislation at the start of the 2007-2008 recession, saying that as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, it was one of the most grueling weeks of his legislative career.
Hinojosa gave what could be his last speech as a congressman to the LUPE membership on Wednesday evening. He is retiring at the end of the year after serving for 20 years in Congress. The occasion was this year’s Annual New Citizens Graduation Ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of LUPE members who have attained U.S. Citizenship.
In his speech, Hinojosa praised LUPE’s Programa Escalera program, which assists immigrants that are ready to make a deeper commitment to the United States as their home. In turn, LUPE presented Hinojosa with a plaque to honor his many years of service to farm workers and immigrants.
“This country is known around the world as a land of opportunity, and immigrants contribute to that reputation and to our success. Despite their contribution, many long-term legal residents perceive that they cannot fully participate in public life due to their non-citizenship,” said John-Michael Torres, LUPE’s communications specialist.
“Through LUPE’s U.S. Citizenship Opportunity program, immigrant community members overcome this barrier and are able to participate more fully in the democratic decision-making process of their adoptive country.”
Congressman Hinojosa gave his remarks in Spanish. Here, below, are his prepared remarks in Spanish and English.
Spanish:
Buenas tardes, compañeras y compañeros de La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE). Es un gran placer estar aquí con todos ustedes para recibir este reconocimiento y para la graduación de los nuevos ciudadanos.
Primeramente, quiero darle las gracias a Juanita Váldez-Cox y a la junta directiva de LUPE por haberme invitado esta noche y presentarme con esta bandera de La Unión de Fuerza Laboral – un bandera que sirve como un gran símbolo de las luchas y victorias de lupe y sus líderes campesinos como el gran César Chávez y Dolores Huerta.
Ustedes han estado a mi lado desde el principio en 1996, y les quiero decir que les agradezco su amistad y su apoyo durante los últimos veinte años.
Mientras que he servido en el Congreso de Estados Unidos, ustedes se han dedicado a luchar por una reforma migratoria justa, y por mejores condiciones laborales para los trabajadores agrícolas del Sur de Tejas. Han preparado a nuestra comunidad para la ciudadanía. Quiero que sepan que este trabajo ha tenido mayor impacto en nuestra comunidad.
También, quiero reconocer a LUPE por haber trabajado con mi oficina aquí en Edinburg en varios projectos comunitarios. Por ejemplo, LUPE ha colaborado con mi oficina para ayudarle a los Dreamers llenar sus solicitudes para el programa de DACA y a registrar a residentes para el cuidado de salud por medio del programa federal conocido como el “ACA,” (the Affordable Care Act).
Me parece que el trabajo que hemos hecho juntos, ha ayudado a muchísima gente y estoy muy orgulloso del progreso que hemos visto durante los últimos veinte años que los he representado en Washington, DC.
Esta noche celebramos a miembros de nuestra comunidad que se han preparado para ser ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos.
“El programa Escalera” es un gran ejemplo de los esfuerzos comunitarios de LUPE, preparando a inmigrantes con el conocimiento necesario para entender las leyes de nuestro país y para votar por candidatos que ayudarán a nuestra comunidad.
Yo, como hijo de inmigrantes Mexicanos, quiero felicitar a los nuevos ciudadanos que se están graduando hoy. Ustedes han logrado una meta muy importante y estamos muy orgullosos de sus esfuerzos. Como nuevos ciudadanos, podrán ejercer sus derechos y votar.
Pero deben saber que han habido bastantes mujeres y hombres valientes que han luchado por los derechos civiles y el derecho del voto en Estados Unidos. Así que, debemos de tomar esta responsibilidad en serio.
Como su congresista, les sugiero que aprendan los más que puedan de nuestro sistema de gobierno Norte Americano y de las leyes estatales y federales. Es importante que se mantengan informados. Léan los periódicos, escuchen las noticias en la televisión y la radio.
Una democracia require que todos estemos informados y que tengamos la oportunidad de votar en las elecciones locales, estatales, y federales y mas que nada, debatir y discutir soluciones a los problemas y las desigualdades que existen en la sociedad. Por favor, aprovechen de este derecho y ayuden a nuestra comunidad.
En fin, quiero que sepan que ha sido un gran placer y un honor representarlos a ustedes en el Congreso del los Estados Unidos durante estos últimos veinte anos.
Les doy las gracias por reconocerme esta noche con esta bandera de La Unión de Fuerza Laboral.
Que Dios los bendiga y que sigan luchando por nuestra comunidad!
Gracias!
English:
Good afternoon, friends of La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE). It is a great pleasure to be here with all of you, to receive this recognition and celebrate the graduation of these new citizens.
First of all, I want to thank Juanita Valdez-COX and the LUPE Board Members for inviting me tonight and presenting me with a service award and United Farmworkers of America union flag for my twenty years of public service in Texas’ 15th Congressional District. This flag represents the struggles and victories of LUPE and our other legendary farmworker leaders, like the great Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.
Since 1996 you have been on my side, and I just want to take this time to thank you for your friendship and support during these twenty years.
For as long as I have been a U.S. Congressman, you have been fighting for immigration reform and better working conditions for farmers in South Texas. Additionally, you have helped prepare folks to become new citizens of the United States. I want you to know that your hard work continues to have a positive impact in our community.
Moreover, I want to recognize the work LUPE has done with my office here in Edinburg; as a partner, you have helped registers DREAMERs to the DACA program and helped residents sign up for affordable health care via the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The work we have done together has helped a great deal of people. The work is translated in the progress we have seen in Washington, DC, for the past twenty years. Tonight we celebrated those members of our community who prepared themselves to become citizens of the United States.
“El Program Escalera” is a great example of the many programs that LUPE has created and implemented to help our community. This project works to give immigrants the necessary skills and knowledge to understand the United Sates laws, including voting rights and current elections.
As a son of Mexican immigrants, I wish to congratulate you in your graduation as new citizens of the United States. We are proud of your achievements, and as new citizens you are going to be able to employ your right to vote.
However, you should know, the right to vote is a serious responsibility. Women and men fought for our civil rights and the right to vote when we did not have any rights years ago. As your U.S. Congressman, I encourage you to learn as much as you can about our government’s state and federal laws. The best way to learn is to stay informed through newspapers, TV, Radio and social media.
Democracy requires that all citizens are informed and have the opportunity to vote in all local, state, and federal elections. More importantly, citizens should engage in a dialogue that will bring solutions to the problems and inequalities that we have in our society.
Finally, please know that it has been a great pleasure and honor to represent the 15th Congressional District of Texas for the last twenty years. Again, I thank you for recognizing me tonight with an AFL-CIO service award and union flag.
God bless you all, and keep fighting for our community!
Thank you.
Editor’s Note: The photos accompanying this story were provided by La Unión del Pueblo Entero.
