Hispanic Heritage Month Quotes 2016: Memorable Sayings From Latino Actors, Artists, Leaders And Celebrities

From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the legacies and culture of Latino people in the country.

Established in 1968 through a mandate of Congress, the month-long celebration starts on a significant day: the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Here are some significant quotes to celebrate:

“The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever.” – Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

“I think Hispanic community–the values that resonate in our community are fundamentally conservative. They are faith, family and patriotism. Do you know the rate of military enlistment among Hispanics is higher than any demographic in this country? And they are also hard work and responsibility.” – Texas Sen. Ted Cruz

“No particular race is the enemy. Ignorance is the enemy.” – Comedian George Lopez

“I am trying to teach my children to feel a responsibility for their fellow human beings and a sense of connection with … the world around them.” – Singer/songwriter Gloria Estefan

“I am a product of affirmative action. I am the perfect affirmative action baby. I am Puerto Rican, born and raised in the South Bronx. My test scores were not comparable to my colleagues at Princeton and Yale. Not so far off so that I wasn’t able to succeed at those institutions.” – Sotomayor

“If you have an opportunity to make things better and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.” – Professional baseball player Roberto Clemente

“Every single immigrant we have, documented or undocumented, is a future American.” – Writer Junot Diaz

“Bigger than life is not difficult for me. I am bigger than life.” – Actress Rita Moreno

“I don’t think about art while I work. I try to think about life.” – Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat