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(Submitted 21 March
2007 by Louis Tellez, Commander A.G.I.F., Albuquerque)
LETTER from HISPANIC
CAUCUS
For Immediate Release Contact : Carlos Sanchez
Thursday, March 15, 2007
(202) 225-2410
carlos.sanchez@mail.house.gov
Hispanic Caucus : Hispanics' World War II
Contributions Deserve
Recognition
Washington , DC - Today, the Congressional Hispanic
Caucus (CHC) sen t a letter to President Paula Kerger of the Public Broadcasting
Service (PBS) expressing concern over a World War II documentary set to
air fall of 2007.
The documentary, which was produced by Ken Burns
and is titled "The War," runs at 14 hours
long. Additionally, PBS has a long-standing record of producing
quality educational programming. However, the
documentary excludes any mention of Hispanics and their
contributions during WWII. Members of the CHC expressed concern
over PBS's willingness to air a documentary about WWII that is
silent on the critical role of Hispanics.
"Throughout our nation's history, Hispanics have
proudly and heroically served in America 's armed forces," said CHC Chair Joe Baca
(D-CA). "A documentary on World War II that excludes the
contributions of Hispanic Americans is inaccurate and incomplete, and thus
fails to meet the standards of fairness and excellence for which PBS
has been previously recognized." Rep. Baca is a
veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with both the 101st
and the 82nd Airborne Divisions from 1966 to 1968.
"There is some concern that this documentary does
not accurately depict the significant contribution by Hispanics in World
War II," said Congressman Ciro Rodriguez, Chair
of the CHC Veterans Task Force. "Given the reputation
that PBS has earned as an educational institution, we would hope they would
provide a comprehensive account of all those who served during that
time."
Letter attached
Dear President Kerger :
As Members of the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), we want to express our concern with
your upcoming World War II documentary produced by Ken Burns titled
"The War." We are concerned
that this documentary, scheduled to air fall 2007, may not accurately
depict Hispanics and their contributions in World War II. We believe
any documentary produced on World War II that does not include the
contributions of Hispanics is incomplete. We hope that you agree and
address this issue.
It has been brought to
our attention that this documentary plans to air without a mention of
the roles played by an estimated 500,000 Hispanics who were
an integral part of the armed forces during this time. Although
we hear the documentary is not about any one particular ethnic group, African-American
and Japanese-American accomplishments
are included--and rightfully so. However, we feel
that Hispanics are also among the "ordinary men and
women," and that they too tell the "history and horror of World
War II" through their experiences and stories.
PBS is a non-profit media
enterprise that serves 354 television stations, reaching nearly 90 million
people each week. We know that you pride yourselves on providing
diverse view points and educating the public. Moreover, we realize that many Americans rely on
PBS to supply them with educational programming. As
such, the Hispanic Caucus encourages PBS to include the Hispanic
viewpoint in this documentary.
Hispanic soldiers have
earned more medals of honor on a per capita basis than any other ethnic
group. Twelve Hispanic soldiers that served during World War II
won Medals of Honor. Hispanics now make up more than 10 percent
of active duty enlisted forces, and our representation in the
armed services has doubled since the 1980s. Given this exemplary
record, it astounds us that in a seven-part series there is not one
mention of Hispanic contributions. For PBS to air a documentary
without this mention would be a disservice to its viewers and the
Hispanic community. Should this be the case, as Members of the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus , we encourage PBS to
not air this documentary until this omission is corrected. We would
welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.
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