DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement today in honor of Cinco de Mayo:

“Cinco de Mayo is an important opportunity to honor that fateful day 150 years ago, when Mexican fighters and workers joined together and defied the odds, beating the much larger and better-armed French army at the Battle of Puebla. May 5, 1862 was an improbable victory – a day of communities standing together in the fight to secure a better life for their families and for future generations. And it was an incredible moment of triumph for the people of Mexico.

“Today, we see that same determination and resilient spirit embodied in the millions of Mexican Americans and Hispanics across the country who work hard every day to build a greater future both for themselves and for their children and grandchildren. Their countless contributions to our nation and to the American story are and must always continue to be recognized and honored.

“President Obama has always understood that fundamental truth – that’s why he’s fighting for a future where everyone who works hard and does their fair share can get a shot at the American dream. Too many Hispanic families have been hurt by a decade of declining wages and unemployment, and the President knows it’s not simply enough to recover from the recession. We must rebuild our economy so that hard work pays off, responsibility is rewarded, and everyone from Wall Street to Main Street plays by the same set of rules. The President believes that together, we can and will make this country greater – and as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo as the day when so many Mexican families took a critical step forward to make their nation stronger, let us take a moment to recommit ourselves to working together to surmount the challenges that lie ahead.”

The Democratic National Committee released the following statements today marking Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts today, September 15.

Statement from DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz:

“Today, we begin a month-long celebration of the millions of Hispanic Americans who, since the founding of America, have been a fundamental part of our society. Throughout our country’s history, Hispanic Americans have built homes, families, and businesses in every corner of this great nation. The United States has always gained great strength from its many immigrants, and Hispanic Americans have lived in pursuit of the American Dream, building a past and planning a future for themselves and their families in the greatest country in the world. Hispanic Americans are an integral thread in the rich tapestry that is the fabric of America.

“Hispanic Americans continue to work hard to provide for their families and their communities, and I am proud to have a President who fights to help them achieve this goal. Under President Obama’s leadership, we have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to an additional 4 million children, including legal immigrant children, and we have reformed our student loan system to provide an additional 150,000 Pell Grants to Latino students. We have worked to bring about comprehensive immigration reform, and we are now working to pass the American Jobs Act, which will aid in our economic recovery and put millions of Americans back to work—including the nearly 1 million Hispanic Americans who have been unemployed for six months or more. As we honor the many contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to our society, we must also remember the unique challenges that so many face and work to ensure that all Americans have a fair shot at the American Dream.”

Statement from DNC Vice Chair Linda Chavez-Thompson:

“The Hispanic story is the American story: a story of immigrants who continue to come to America looking for a chance to provide for their families, and a story of early settlers who helped weave the American tapestry from the very beginning. Today, Hispanics continue to embody the American Dream, with all its challenges and joys along the way.

“Like all Americans, Hispanics want our country to continue to move forward. That is why our communities overwhelmingly support President Obama’s initiatives to create jobs, move the economy in the right direction, and ensure that our education, immigration and health systems provide all Americans a genuine opportunity to realize their full potential.”

Statement from DNC Hispanic Caucus Chair Iris Y. Martinez:

“This Hispanic Heritage Month, I am proud to stand with President Obama as we work to ensure that we can get more folks back to work and Hispanics continue to have a fair shot at the American Dream. From the beginning, the President has stood up for our communities, often making difficult political choices in an effort to turn the economy around and work toward an immigration system that ensures safety and security while also keeping our families united. This courage is exactly what is needed to preserve America’s unique place in the world as a nation full of immigrants where all who are willing to work hard can discover success.”

Today, President Obama delivered remarks at the annual conference for the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the only 2012 presidential candidate to do so. After his speech, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

I commend President Obama for his address at NCLR today. Beyond his remarks, I am proud of President Obama’s actions, which are a strong testament to his commitment to the Hispanic community. Under President Obama’s leadership, we’ve expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to an additional 4 million children, including legal immigrant children for the first time ever. Students across America benefit from student loan reform, which provides an additional 150,000 Pell Grants to Hispanic students. And he signed into law the Recovery Act, which kept 1.9 million Latinos out of poverty in 2009.

But these achievements have come in the face of undue Republican opposition in Congress – opposition not based in substance, but in political gamesmanship. As President Obama noted during his address, the minute he pronounces his support for a measure – like the DREAM Act – Republicans immediately oppose it, even if it was their idea to begin with. That’s the type of political game that has cost Latinos and the middle class dearly.

Similarly, Republicans need to stop playing games with America’s economic future. Right now, Republicans are trying to balance our budget on the backs of seniors and working Americans, including Hispanics, and are seeking a return to the very policies that drove our economy to the brink of disaster. What our communities need is not a return to those failed policies, but rather President Obama’s continued leadership in pushing our country forward.