Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar released a video message in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from September 15^th – October 15^th:

“During Hispanic Heritage month, we celebrate the courageous men and women who’ve dedicated their lives and careers to fighting for equality for Latino men and women across the country. From Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta inspiring a nation during the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, to Justice Sotomayor becoming the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, to California’s own Juan Felipe Herrera, the United States’ first Latino Poet Laureate, we have come so far as a community and have taken on roles that have shaped the cultural, social and political world of today,” said Rep. Aguilar.

He continued, “I’m proud of my heritage and my family, and I’m honored to serve California’s 31^st congressional district. I will never forget those who helped me get to where I am today, from my family to the program directors at the Inland Empire Future Latino Leaders Program, who mentored me and countless other young students and created an environment dedicated to raising the Latino community up and inspiring students to lead. I hope that I can pay it forward and do for other young Latinos what they did for me. ”

Rep. Aguilar’s video message can be viewed in full here.