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7345144
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Text of remarks by the President to be delivered to the National Hispanic Assembly [Ford Speech or Statement]
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7345144
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document
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Text of remarks by the President to be delivered to the National Hispanic Assembly [Ford Speech or Statement]
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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7345144
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29
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1976-07-29
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7
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1976
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Digitized from Box 29 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
JULY 29, 1976
UNTIL 6:00 P.M., E.D.T.
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
TEXT OF REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO BE DELIVERED TO THE
NATIONAL HISPANIC ASSEMBLY
MAYFLOWER HOTEL
I am honored to be with the Republican National Hispanic Assembly in this month
of our national bicentennial when we give special recognition to our rich national
heritage -- including our Hispanic heritage. But America's recognition of its
Hispanic components involves more than history. It includes your growing role
and contribution at all levels of leadership of the United States of America.
Your organization has provided inspiration -- and results -- for men and women
of Hispanic origin. With your help, we have done much to mobilize the great wealth
of talent and dedication of Hispanic Americans in the Federal Government. I am
proud of your fine contributions.
In recognition of our mutual desire to increase the number of Hispanic Americans
in leadership positions in my Administration, I am proud to have appointed many of
those I see here tonight. Tonight, I am pleased to introduce my most recent Hispanic
appointees. My new Special Assistant for Hispanic Affairs at the White House,
Thomas Aranda, Jr. My new Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior
is Albert C. Zapanta. There are two diplomatic appointments Phillip Sanchez,
whom I have nominated to be United States Ambassador to Columbia, and Ignacio
Lozano, whom I have nominated to be our Ambassador to El Salvador. And, of
course, Samuel Martinez, the new Director of the Community Services Administration.
My Administration wants the vigorous involvement of Hispanic-Americans in govern-
ing our nation. Just as you need more advocates in government, America needs more
Hispanic representatives in the Congress, like my good friend Manuel Lujan of New
Mexico.
Our common goal is to make life better for the Hispanic Community in the United
States -- by assuring full voting rights, by improving the standard of living for all,
expanding the quality of education -- including bi-lingual programs -- by encouraging
greater participation in the Minority Business Enterprise Program, and by continuing
our successful efforts to reduce inflation and unemployment for all Americans.
I was proud to issue orders that resulted in speeding up the naturalization proceedings
for new citizens from Cuba. I welcome the growing political involvement of vigorous
and talented new Americans at all levels -- local, state and national. My Administra-
tion will continue its policy of friendship toward the people of Cuba. But we will not
accept intervention by the Fidel Castro regime in the affairs of other countries.
Nor will we accept the counsel of those who would give in to Fidel Castro. The free
choice of the Puerto Rican people will be vigorously defended. My Administration and
the Government of Puerto Rico view any outside intervention into Puerto Rican affairs
as an unfriendly act. We shall strongly resist any such intervention.
Freedom of choice is precious not only for the Puerto Ricans but for all Americans.
After 200 years of freedom we are approaching another day when the American people
again give their consent to be governed and choose their elected representatives. I
call upon Hispanic Americans to join me in my campaign to achieve a greater realiza-
tion of the American dream.
- MORE -
- 2 -
You know where I stand. You know who I am. You know my record in National
Government--a record that you helped to achieve.
Let us go on working together, as partners, to obtain full participation for all
citizens in the political process. I ask your help--and I need your personal
involvement- to complete the work of the last two years.
Hispanic genius, hispanic energy, hispanic pride and hispanic dedication have
strengthened our political system. You have advanced our goals in the best
interests of the highest aspirations of all Americans.
I need your abilities and your skills for America--and for the Republican Party.
The Republican Party is a channel for a new era of hispanic involvement, from
California and the Southwest, from Florida, from New York, from all over this
great land. We are united here today to preserve the principle of America
and dedicated to continuing our progress next January.
And I think in the words of Cervantes, "Toe Dah Veea No Ah Base Veesto Nahda"
which translated means, "You ain't seen nothing yet."
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