Letters

The U.S.'s 25 Most Influential Hispanics While a few melting-pot purists registered resentment at the idea of honoring any particular ethnic group's contributions to American society, readers of Hispanic and non-Hispanic origin alike welcomed our tribute to leading Latinos and wished we could have included even more

Thank you for shining a light on the growing influence of the Latino-Hispanic community in the U.S. [Aug. 22]. Hispanic businesses are a vital part of the economic revitalization of many towns. In Illinois alone, Hispanic businesses are driving the economic rebirth of previously stagnant cities like Aurora, Waukegan and Rockford. The contributions by Hispanics should be recognized, celebrated, embraced and fully supported.

ROBERTO A. CORNELIO, COO ILLINOIS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Chicago

Your inspiring profiles of influential Hispanics provided a compelling impetus for a national U.S. holiday to honor farmworkers' advocate Cesar Chavez. He was a social-justice paragon akin to Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi. Chavez empowered disenfranchised and politically oppressed people. He emulated Gandhi's pacifism and reverence for life. All Americans should commemorate his birthday, March 31.

BRIEN COMERFORD Glenview, Ill.

As informative and timely as your report on influential Hispanics was, it highlighted a lack of basic knowledge common among most Americans. You referred to Jennifer Lopez as the daughter of "Puerto Rican immigrants." Since when are Puerto Ricans--U.S. citizens by birth--immigrants? And the people who responded to your poll identified Puerto Rico as a "country" of ancestry when in fact the island is a commonwealth and part of the U.S.

JOSÉ A. VELÁZQUEZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LATINO MEMPHIS Memphis, Tenn.

There has been an amazing transformation in how Hispanics are viewed by the public. It's great to celebrate Hispanic leaders. Gone are the days when the phrase "influential Hispanic" seemed to be an oxymoron. Perhaps the most potent indicator of our group's ascension is the emergence of new national leaders. Until recently Hispanic culture was largely relegated to the barrio and backwoods. Today's mainstream reception of Hispanics is a promising sign that the U.S. may soon recognize and honor individual Hispanic subcultures and the astounding diversity that exists within the Latino community.

WAYNE TRUJILLO Lakewood, Colo

I take pride in my Italian heritage and cherish the culture and traditions passed down to me by my parents and grandparents. But I have always considered myself an American, with no need to add an ethnic prefix for further identification. As part of a great melting pot, we should accept our differences, not emphasize them or place dividing lines where none need exist. That said, I eagerly anticipate your forthcoming report on the U.S.'s 25 most influential Italians.

THOMAS C. RIZZO JR. Largo, Fla.

I was most impressed with your profiles of leading Hispanics. Well done! I am not Hispanic, but I always enjoy reading about other cultures, especially those that have so vigorously influenced the great melting pot that is America.

SUE ANN VAJDA New York City