To mark the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, NCDP Chair Bobbie Richardson and NCDP Hispanic American Caucus President Elke Millan released the following joint statement:  

“North Carolina Democrats are proud to celebrate the heritage of Hispanic Americans and honor the achievements and contributions of many generations who have inspired a rich and vibrant North Carolina. This month is an important reminder of the constant strength America draws from our immigrant roots and our values as a country of immigrants. This past year, the Hispanic community was devastatingly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, laying bare the existing inequities in our society. We remain committed to electing Democrats that believe North Carolina cannot succeed unless Hispanic families and communities succeed and will fight to make change that empowers us all.”

NCDP’s Hispanic American Caucus will kick off the month with a virtual celebration tonight at 7:30PM EDT. Speakers include Representative Ricky Hurtado, Durham Councilwoman Javiera Caballero, and candidate for Lucama Commissioner Helen Torres. Learn more here.

The Biden-Harris administration is delivering for Hispanic communities: 

• President Biden’s cabinet includes four Hispanic Cabinet Secretaries: Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman. Within days of his election, President Biden named three Latino Americans to be a part of the White House’s senior staff and remains committed to building the most diverse administration in history.

• President Biden and Democrats’ American Rescue Plan provided much-needed relief to the Hispanic community during the pandemic.

  • Additional Paycheck Protection Program funding for small businesses and rental assistance has helped families stay in their homes, and the child tax credit is helping lift Hispanic children out of poverty.

• President Biden’s administration is committed to continuing the fight to protect the sacred right to vote and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented Hispanics — especially Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status holders, farmworkers, and essential workers — through desperately needed immigration reform, including in President Biden’s Build Back Better budget resolution moving through Congress, not only because this benefits our Nation’s economy but also because it is the right thing to do.

• The Biden-Harris administration has reaffirmed its commitment to extending the hand of friendship to Latin America and strengthening democracy in the region.

  • The administration has sent over 5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Mexico with millions more on the way.

  • The administration has donated over 33 million doses of the vaccine to 21 other countries in Latin America, including the first doses of the vaccine to reach Haiti, carried there by the United States Coast Guard, to help protect Haiti’s first responders and health care workers.

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