Since 1822, when Delegate Joseph Marion Hernández of Florida became the first Hispanic American to serve in Congress, a total of 116 Hispanic Americans have served as U.S. Representatives, Delegates, Resident Commissioners, or Senators. This Web site, based on the book Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822–2012, contains biographical profiles of former Hispanic Members of Congress, links to information about current Hispanic Members, essays on the institutional and national events that shaped successive generations of Hispanic Members of Congress, and images of each individual Member, including rare photos.
Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822–2012, is available as an ePublication from the Government Printing Office.
Read essays that provide historical context about four distinct generations of Hispanic Americans in Congress. Among the topics discussed in each essay are institutional developments, legislative agendas, social changes, and national historical events that have shaped the experiences of Hispanic Members of Congress.
This page features materials designed to help teachers and students use the information presented in Hispanic Americans in Congress in their classrooms.
In this section, users can find tables and appendices of historical data about Hispanic Americans in Congress, including: Hispanic Americans in Congress by Congress; committee and subcommittee leaders; party leadership positions; Puerto Rican political parties; chairmen and chairwomen of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
View artifacts from the House Collection related to the history of Hispanic Americans in Congress, from formal portraits to political campaign buttons.
Use the interactive map to compile information on the representation of Hispanic Americans in Congress, such as the number of Members who served from a particular state or region and when they served.
What is the difference between apportionment and realignment? What is a discharge petition? What does the word quorum mean and how does it relate to the House of Representatives? These and other relevant congressional terms are defined in this glossary.