WASHINGTON.-
United States Vice-president celebrated yesterday current and future contributions made by Hispanics to the country and he assured during a gathering at his home that they will be a part of the "Renaissance of the XXI century."
For the fourth year in a row the vice-president's home joined the celebrations of the Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated every year from September 15 to October 15.
"You will be a part of the XXI century Renaissance. I'm not joking," said Biden addressing approximately 140 guests reunited around the pool of his home at the Naval Observatory in Washington.
In a short and mostly improvised speech, Biden praised the contributions made by the Hispanic community throughout the years and predicted "without exaggeration" that the United States will have a Latin president.
"It's a month in which we celebrate the contributions Latinos have made but we should start to celebrate the contributions to come," because there are "literally, dozens of thousands of Hispanic leaders" in the making, said Biden.
To highlight how Hispanics, currently more than 52 million of citizens, have left their mark and will continue to do so in the coming years, Biden used as example the fact that 25 percent of the student population in the US is of Latin origin; they are also the 17 percent of college students.
Regarding military service, "1.3 million of Hispanics serve our country, that's the 11 percent of all armed forces," he added.
"The talent in the making, the potential is incredible," he later said.
The Mariachi Halcon from Zapata, Texas provided the entertainment.
Biden commended the eloquence of Ashley Guzman, the violinist who is also in the last year of high school and is the top student in her class.
The vice-president jokingly asked her to help him prepare for his next debate against Paul Ryan for the vice-presidency next month.
Biden also granted a special award to Cecilia Muñoz, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, who he praised for her work in favor of the Latin community in the Obama's Administration.
"You have worked for the Hispanic community like no other person in this Administration. We owe this woman so much," said Biden drawing a round of applause from the audience.
He also reiterated his as well as President Barack Obama's commitment towards finding a "permanent legislative way of pulling those who live in fear out of the shadows."
In that sense, he defended Obama's decision last June 15 of temporarily stopping the deportation of thousands of "dreamers," undocumented students brought by their parents to the US when they were minors.
This decision, he added, known as "deferred action," has the support of 75 percent of the US people.
According to official data, around 76,000 undocumented students have requested this temporary migratory benefit since the option opened in August 15.
It is estimated that 1.7 million of "illegal" students could benefit from the program, opposed by most of the republican citizens.
Regarding a new migratory reform, Biden said that "the US people is far ahead of its political leaders" by supporting this effort.
Among the guests were Secretary of Work, Hilda Solis, members of the Hispanic team of the 2012 Olympics and some of the Paralympic team as well as political leaders and Hispanic leaders of the country in addition to Administration members.
The Maryland State Delegate Ana Sol Gutiérrez was also present along President of the NCLR, Janet Murguia and Julie Chávez Rodríguez, granddaughter of late Mexican-American union leader César Chávez plus Telemundo host José Díaz-Balart and US Treasurer, Rosa Ríos.
Editorial@sandiegored.com
Translation: Karen.balderas@sandiegored.com
