"All across America, Hispanics are taking a fresh look at the Republican Party and realizing that they share the same common values of hard work; entrepreneurship; patriotism and traditional family values of the Republican Party. Hispanics are also realizing that the Republican Party is the party of opportunity:
Opportunity for real immigration reform
The United States is a nation of immigrants, like that of U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, and more than 110,000 Latinos currently serving as US military personnel and the tens-of-thousands which have served with honor and distinction in the past defending liberty at home and promoting freedom abroad. Immigrants from all over the world have enriched our nation economically, socially and culturally. President Bush’s immigration reform proposal works for a fair and secure solution to accommodate the immigrant workers needed to help keep our economy growing while securing our borders from criminals and terrorists.
Opportunity for advancement in education
President Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” is the most comprehensive education reform in 40 years, guaranteeing the equal opportunity of high standards and accountability to every child. President Bush increased funding in education more in his first 4 years than in all of Clinton’s 8 years. Additionally, educational success is now measured for every child, every year in every school. And schools are accountable for high standards because there are consequences. Schools that are learning are praised. And children who are not learning receive special attention, and their parents are given charters and choice. “No Child Left Behind” is a particular success with limited English proficient Hispanic students. These services are now reaching over 80% of the Hispanic students who need this extra help to learn English up 65% from 15% before the program and funding were instituted.
Opportunity for creation of small business enterprises:
There are nearly 2 million Latino small business owners in the United States. The President’s Republican small business agenda creates an environment in which owners can create new jobs, support new workers and help grow our economy. Cutting taxes helps these small businesses to survive and flourish. The permanent elimination of the death tax allows family businesses to pass on their hard earned businesses from generation to generation without having to sell assets to pay for a punitive tax.
Opportunity for increase homeownership
The greatest barriers to minority homeownership are downpayment and closing costs. Through President Bush’s housing programs such as “The American Dream Downpayment Fund” more minority families are able to realize the American Dream than ever before. Nearly 50% of Hispanic families now own their own homes and 1.9 million more minorities have become homeowners since President Bush launched this Republican initiative to increase minority homeownership to 5.5 million by 2010.
Opportunity to achieve the American Dream