HouseH.Res. 1573119th Congress
Recognizing the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the musical heritage of the United States and designating September 2026 as "Latin Music Appreciation Month".
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1573 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1573
Recognizing the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the
musical heritage of the United States and designating September 2026 as
``Latin Music Appreciation Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 24, 2026
Mr. Castro of Texas submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the
musical heritage of the United States and designating September 2026 as
``Latin Music Appreciation Month''.
Whereas Latin music styles such as rancheras, corridos, mariachi, salsa,
merengue, bachata, reggaeton, urban, cumbia, tango, and a multitude of
others, and their fusion with other genres, such as jazz, rock, hip hop,
and pop, have played a pivotal role in enriching the cultural fabric of
the United States, influencing everything from music and dance to
fashion and entertainment;
Whereas Latin music, characterized by its vibrant rhythms, rich melodies, and
diverse instrumentation, encompasses a wide array of musical styles and
genres originating from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as
their respective diasporas around the world;
Whereas the rich musical traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean were
deeply influenced by indigenous cultures, European (particularly Spanish
and Portuguese) colonization, the legacy of African slavery, and the
vibrant cultural heritage of each region and country, all of which
contributed to the development of diverse genres in the United States;
Whereas the roots of Mexican music in the United States can be traced back to
rich musical traditions that existed in Mexico before the annexation of
Mexican territories, including present-day New Mexico, Arizona,
California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming, by the
United States following the Mexican-American War;
Whereas, throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, various waves of
Mexican immigrants came to the United States for work, particularly in
agriculture, mining, and railroad construction, settling in regions such
as Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico, and bringing their music
with them;
Whereas Mexican music in the United States encompasses various regional styles,
including ranchera, norteno, Tejano, conjunto, mariachi, and corridos,
originating from different parts of Mexico but popularized and adapted
within Mexican-American communities in the United States;
Whereas the lifestyle and the social issues that Mexicans faced are reflected in
corridos, a music genre that originated during the Mexican War of
Independence and the Mexican Revolution, spreading to the southwestern
frontier of the United States and contributing to the development of
tejano and New Mexican music;
Whereas mariachi music stems from the traditional ``son jaliscience'', which was
initially played by field hands working at haciendas and humble street
performers and subsequently promoted by the Government of Mexico in the
early 1920s;
Whereas mariachi ensembles, which can include violins, accordions, trumpets,
guitars, and singers, have since been prominently featured in a myriad
of cultural celebrations, including birthday festivities, quinceaneras,
and weddings, and in prestigious concert halls;
Whereas banda, a style of Mexican music characterized by wind instruments,
including primarily brass and percussion instruments, has its roots
dating back to the mid-19th century, with the introduction of piston
brass instruments, as community musicians sought to emulate military
bands and encompasses a fusion of traditional dance rhythms such as
polka, cumbia, son, and waltz, and notable performers in the genre
include Jenny Rivera, Chalino, Banda MS, and Banda El Recodo;
Whereas Caribbean Latin music has had influences in the United States since the
mid to late 1800s, with notable contributions from composers like
Ignacio Pineiro, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and Ignacio Cervantes, whose
works helped introduce Latin rhythms and melodies to audiences in the
United States;
Whereas the Cuban version of the habanera, exposed to New Orleans in the 19th
century, laid the foundation for the appreciation of Cuban, Puerto
Rican, and Dominican musical styles in the United States;
Whereas Cuban immigration to the United States, spurred by communism as a result
of the Cuban Revolution and the Castro dictatorship, has fostered
cultural exchanges that contributed to the development of new musical
genres, most prominently in Florida;
Whereas, in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico became a
United States territory, granting its people citizenship and fostering a
unique cultural exchange between Puerto Ricans and individuals in the
mainland United States, which culminated in a significant migration wave
of Puerto Ricans to cities like New York in the mid-20th century;
Whereas the establishment of Spanish-language newspapers, such as La Prensa in
New York City in 1913, contributed to the dissemination of Latin music
and culture among tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans and immigrants from
Latin America and the Caribbean who migrated to New York City;
Whereas a convergence of Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other Caribbean immigrants,
particularly in New York City, infused music in the United States with
Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisation and gave rise to the vibrant
musical genre of salsa in the United States, which left a lasting mark
on the cultural landscape of the United States;
Whereas the introduction of Afro-Cuban music, including the rumba by Don
Azpiazu's Havana Casino Orchestra in the 1930s, sparked a Latin music
craze in the United States with hits like ``Peanut Vendor'' by Moises
Simons becoming national sensations;
Whereas, by the close of the 1940s, Latin music had firmly established its
presence in the United States, influencing various genres and becoming
an integral part of the musical heritage of the United States;
Whereas Tito Puente, a Puerto Rican musical luminary known as both the ``King of
Mambo'' and the ``King of Latin Music'' left an indelible mark on the
world of Latin music through his groundbreaking compositions, including
the iconic ``Oye Como Va'', famously popularized by Carlos Santana;
Whereas Tito Puente's innovative blend of Cuban and Caribbean sounds such as
mambo, son, and cha-cha-cha resonated with mainstream audiences,
solidifying his status as a cultural icon both in the United States and
internationally;
Whereas, in 1959, Ritchie Valens became a trailblazer in the music industry with
his iconic rendition of the song ``La Bamba'', which became the first
Latin song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking a significant
milestone for Chicano Rock;
Whereas Celia Cruz, the incomparable ``Queen of Salsa'' and a pioneer of Afro-
Cuban music, infused traditional guarachas with modern flair, elevated
the genre to global acclaim with timeless classics like ``La Vida Es un
Carnaval'', and left an enduring legacy in the realm of Latin music;
Whereas Celia Cruz served as a musical ambassador with her dynamic performances
and impassioned vocals that transcended cultural boundaries, solidifying
her status as a global icon;
Whereas Johnny Pacheco, revered as the ``Grandfather of Salsa'', emerged as a
leading figure in the vibrant New York salsa scene during the 1960s and
1970s, contributing significantly to the genre's development, and served
as the musical director of Fania Records;
Whereas producer, trombonist, composer, and bandleader Willie Colon was a
pioneering force in Latin music and a key architect of the ``New York
Sound'' that revitalized Salsa in the 1970s, beginning with his
groundbreaking album ``El Malo'';
Whereas Willie Colon, throughout a decades long career marked by Grammy
recognition and groundbreaking collaborations with Hector Lavoe, Ruben
Blades, and Celia Cruz, was one of the most visionary figures in Latin
American Music;
Whereas Willie Colon passed away on February 21, 2026, leaving behind a legacy
that continues to shape generations of artists and musicians around the
world;
Whereas Leonardo ``Flacco'' Jimenez, a San Antonio-born musician and multiple
Grammy award-winning artist, was widely regarded as one of the most
influential figures in conjunto and Tex-Mex music, and his masterful
accordion playing and distinctive style helped elevate and popularize
the genres to national and international audiences and his
collaborations with artists such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and
Ry Cooder demonstrated the broad cultural reach and appeal of
traditional Mexican-American music;
Whereas Los Tigres del Norte, a Mexican band renowned for their poignant
portrayal of social issues and immigrant experiences in the United
States through songs like ``La jaula de oro'' and ``America'', have been
honored with multiple Grammy awards, contributing significantly to the
popularization of the corridos genre within the United States starting
in 1968 and continuing to the present day;
Whereas Vicente Fernandez, a singer, actor, film producer, and the ``King of
Ranchera Music'', made significant contributions to ranchera music,
earned Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, sold over 50,000,000 records, and
received the title of the greatest Mexican singer of all time by Rolling
Stone;
Whereas Alejandro Fernandez, ``El Potrillo'', continues the legacy of ranchera
music, having sold over 20,000,000 albums across the world;
Whereas Gloria Estefan, a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, Grammy
award winner, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, emerged as a
pioneering figure in Latin pop music during the 1980s and 1990s,
achieving international acclaim with hits such as ``Conga'', which fused
Latin rhythms with contemporary pop sensibilities, and her contributions
to the genre helped propel Latin music into the mainstream;
Whereas Emilio Estefan, a prominent and visionary figure in the Latin music
industry, has made significant contributions to the genre as an award-
winning songwriter, producer, musician, mentor, and entrepreneur, and
was the first artist to receive the grand distinction of Person of the
Year during the Latin Grammy Awards in 2000;
Whereas, from establishing the Miami Sound Machine to working with renowned
artists such as Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Alejandro Fernandez, Jon
Secada, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Shakira, Emilio Estefan's
influence has been instrumental in defining Latin crossover and
introducing Latin rhythms and culture to mainstream audiences worldwide;
Whereas Selena Quintanilla, known as the ``Queen of Tejano Music'', left a
profound and enduring impact on the United States through her
distinctive fusion of tejano music with contemporary pop and R&B,
captivating audiences across the United States and beyond as a Mexican-
American artist, and her legacy continues beyond the 1980s and 1990s,
resonating with fans to this day;
Whereas bachata, with its blend of European, indigenous Taino, and African
elements, reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic;
Whereas the pioneering work of the band Aventura, originating in New York,
played a significant role in popularizing the genre of bachata in the
United States, garnering widespread popularity and acclaim;
Whereas Cuban reggaeton and tropical duo Gente de Zona, which emerged from the
streets of the island and is now a world-renowned group, transcended
barriers to ignite hope for the people of Cuba with their historic
Spanish hip-hop song ``Patria y Vida'', authored by Yotuel and Beatriz
Luengo;
Whereas Mana is considered the most influential Latino rock band and is one of
the best-selling Latin music artists in the world, with over 25,000,000
records sold worldwide, and was the first band ever to be recognized as
Person of the Year during the Latin Grammy Awards;
Whereas Juan Luis Guerra was the first artist ever to receive a Latin Grammy
Award during the first televised Latin Grammy Award ceremony for ``Ni Es
Lo Mismo Ni Es Igual'';
Whereas Latin music has continued to evolve and incorporate diverse styles and
influences from various countries and regions, and has been popularized
by artists like Shakira, Mana, Vicente Fernandez, Alejandro Fernandez,
Juan Gabriel, Marco Antonio Solis, Julio Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias,
Carlos Vives, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Pepe Aguilar, Karol G, Peso
Pluma, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Maluma, Rauw Alejandro, Prince Royce, and
Ozuna, among many others;
Whereas Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, professionally known as Bad Bunny, was
the first artist to win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for an all-
Spanish album, ``Debi Tirar Mas Fotos'', in the 68-year history of the
Recording Academy;
Whereas Daddy Yankee, a Puerto Rican artist, emerged as a pioneer of reggaeton,
a genre that blends Caribbean rhythms with hip-hop and reggae
influences, and played a pivotal role in elevating reggaeton to a global
phenomenon in the early 2000s, with his groundbreaking hits, including
``Gasolina'' and ``Despacito'', the largest globally streamed Spanish
song to date;
Whereas the Latin Grammy Award ceremony was the first bilingual primetime
program to be aired on an English-language television network in the
United States, and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024;
Whereas the Latin Grammy Foundation is a global champion for music education and
empowers communities through Latin music and culture, successfully
cultivating the next generation of Latin music creators through various
scholarships, educational programs and grants, and educational
opportunities that advance Latin music and its heritage;
Whereas, for more than 30 years, People en Espanol has been one of the most
trusted voices in Hispanic culture, celebrating Latin music and culture
and covering in its pages and digital space the evolution of Latin
music, singers, and musicians who have captivated audiences around the
world;
Whereas Leila Cobo is considered one of the world's leading authorities in Latin
music, as the first journalist based in the United States to prominently
cover Latin music daily, and has been instrumental in transforming its
coverage and perception in the United States;
Whereas, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, Latin music
revenues in the United States reached a record-breaking $1,400,000,000
in 2024, marking the third consecutive year above $1,000,000,000 and
accounting for over 8 percent of the United States market;
Whereas, in the first half of 2025, Latin music generated $490,300,000 in
revenue, fueled by streaming growth and expanding audience engagement;
Whereas Latin music artists have significantly contributed to cross-cultural
exchanges, civic participation, political movements, and philanthropy,
utilizing their influential platforms to advocate for social causes and
engage with diverse communities;
Whereas Latino artists continue to shape the global music landscape, with
performers such as Bad Bunny headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime
stage and artists such as Karol G and Los Hermanos Flores performing at
the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, underscoring the
prominence and cultural influence of Latino artists on the world stage;
Whereas the Hispanic population in the United States has grown significantly,
accounting for approximately 19 percent of the total population as of
the 2020 Census, and continues to contribute to the rich cultural
tapestry of the United States;
Whereas continued influence and cultural exchange between the United States and
the Spanish-speaking world, including Mexico, El Salvador, the Dominican
Republic, Colombia, Guatemala, Venezuela, Honduras, Argentina, Peru,
Brazil, and Spain, continue to elevate the cultural importance of Latin
music in the United States; and
Whereas Latino culture, including its vibrant music traditions, is celebrated
and honored at events such as Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations,
Latin music festivals, and other cultural gatherings throughout the
United States, showcasing the enduring influence and significance of
Latin music and heritage in the society of the United States: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``Latin Music Appreciation
Month''; and
(2) recognizes--
(A) the importance of music produced, written, and
performed by Hispanic and Latino Americans to the
musical heritage of the United States;
(B) the Hispanic and Latino musical artists,
composers, songwriters, and musicians whose
contributions to music have for too long been
underrecognized;
(C) the achievements, talent, and hard work of
Hispanic and Latino pioneer artists, and the obstacles
that those artists overcame to gain recognition;
(D) the importance of celebrating and uplifting
music made by Hispanic and Latino artists to understand
the contributions that Hispanic and Latino artists have
made to the fabric of the history and art of the United
States; and
(E) Latin Music Appreciation Month as an important
time to--
(i) celebrate the impact of Latin music on
the musical heritage of the United States; and
(ii) encourage greater awareness of the
cultural importance and history of Latin music
so that Latino and Hispanic history and culture
can be preserved.
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