Washington, D.C. – As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, Senator Bob Casey, Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released a fact sheet showing that the Hispanic community is continuing to endure the effects of the Great Recession and that additional actions are needed to help Hispanic workers find employment and attain economic security.

Senator Casey said, “Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for all of us to recognize and celebrate the important contributions Latinos have made to this country – in public service, the military, education, sports and the arts.  Latinos are the fastest growing community in the country and in Pennsylvania the Hispanic community grew from 394,000 people in 2000 to almost 720,000 in 2010.  As we commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, I remain troubled by the high rates of unemployment and poverty that have plagued the Hispanic community since the Great Recession began.   Across our country, more than one in four Hispanics live in poverty.  As we celebrate the vital role Latinos play in our country, it’s clear that we have more to do to support those who are struggling to find work and put food on the table.”

 

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