Secretary's Speech

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Banquet
Washington, D.C.

I am humbled, and extremely honored to receive the Freedom Award.

I believe one of the strongest expressions of freedom is free enterprise, open markets, and the economic rights of all people.

I believe that one of the great strengths of our country is the right to choose where you work … the right to own property, to own a business … the right to pursue economic prosperity through individual initiative and hard work.

America’s struggle to be independent 230 years ago was as much about economic rights as it was democratic rights.

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.

This is also a time of great opportunity and great hope for Latin Americans. There are more democratically-elected governments than ever before.

And, while we hear that Latin America is veering to the left, toward radicalism and populism, the majority of these elected leaders are pro-democracy … pro-business and investment … and pro-private job creation.

The populists, the radicals are in a small minority. Their lack of results will catch up to them.

• It’s becoming very obvious that where free market principles don’t exist, people suffer.
• The numbers will catch up with demagogues and populists.

There is no better example than Cuba … and we will see failure in other countries that have been protected by high oil prices.

The radical left have appropriated the term “social justice.”

Social justice is about creating opportunity for everyone, and about ensuring that no one is above – or below – the law. Social justice is not about making everyone poor.

It’s about giving individuals opportunity to improve their lives by using their skills and working hard. The United States is still the greatest example of true social justice at work.

Here at home there are difficult decisions that need to be made.

President Bush has provided great leadership on immigration reform. He has called for a comprehensive immigration reform.

And eventually, we will all understand that this is a necessity.

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.

And I believe we have an obligation to make immigration work.

Another, big issue we face is education.

• Today, just one in ten Hispanic adults has a bachelor’s degree, compared to the national average of one in five.
• Tragically, tragically, Hispanic youth account for 40 percent of high school dropouts. Yet, they make up only 17 percent of the total youth population.
• Learn English! This opens the door to getting an education. I was so lucky that people didn’t tell me I didn’t need to learn the language, to learn the culture, to assimilate.

This results in diminished opportunity, and lower-paying jobs. Given our increasingly complex economy and society, high school dropouts today are unlikely to meet the potential we know they have.

• In August, the unemployment rate for people without a high school diploma was more than triple the jobless rate for college graduates. (Source: BLS, national averages)
• And college graduates out-earn people without degrees. In the U.S., the wage gap is 72 percent, the difference between those who have a degree and those who don’t.

So a lot has been done. We’ve come a long way. But there is much to be done.

Hispanic Americans are playing an ever-expanding role in setting the direction of our country.

• You see it in Congress, with two dozen Hispanic-American members.
• In the Cabinet and throughout the Bush administration, over 300 appointees.
• In city hall, at all levels of state and local government.
• Over 5,000 elected and appointed officials.

But behind those numbers is a rising Hispanic American current that grows stronger every year.

• Half of our Hispanic Americans are under 27.
• One in five American children is of Hispanic origin.
• One in seven Americans is of Hispanic origin.
• The Hispanic growth rate is three times the national average.
• Hispanic-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy, growing 31 percent between 1997 and 2002 — also three times the national average for all businesses.

Since our earliest days, different waves of immigrants have come to these shores, taking enormous risks but coming with great hopes for a new life.

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. There is a new wave sweeping the nation that will be known as the great Hispanic Immigration Wave. Many of you here tonight are part of this new wave, while some of us came before.

This wave brings great opportunity. And it will bring new energy and vitality to the country.

And it also bears 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 … become part of the mainstream ... and 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. And God bless.