WEBVTT 00:13.280 --> 00:14.760 align:start Hi. Welcome, everyone. 00:14.760 --> 00:16.160 align:start My name is Alda Migoni. 00:16.160 --> 00:18.730 align:start And I'm President of the Hispanic Cultural Society here 00:18.730 --> 00:20.030 align:start at the Library of Congress. 00:20.030 --> 00:22.430 align:start I work as a librarian of the South American section 00:22.430 --> 00:25.200 align:start of the African, Latin, American, and Western European division. 00:25.200 --> 00:28.320 align:start On behalf of the Hispanic Cultural Society of the Library 00:28.320 --> 00:30.110 align:start of Congress, I would like to welcome you all 00:30.110 --> 00:31.950 align:start to this featured event in honor 00:31.950 --> 00:34.730 align:start of National Hispanic Heritage Month. 00:34.730 --> 00:37.320 align:start National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year 00:37.320 --> 00:40.090 align:start from September 15 through October 15. 00:40.090 --> 00:42.030 align:start Enacted into law in 1988, 00:42.030 --> 00:44.570 align:start this month recognizes the contributions of Latino 00:44.570 --> 00:47.090 align:start and Hispanic Americans in the United States 00:47.090 --> 00:50.470 align:start and their heritages, cultures, and many achievements. 00:50.470 --> 00:53.100 align:start September 15 was chosen to start the month of celebration 00:53.100 --> 00:54.770 align:start as it coincides with the anniversary 00:54.770 --> 00:57.190 align:start of five Latin Americans country's independence days. 00:57.190 --> 01:01.540 align:start September 16, 18, and 21 also mark the independence of Mexico, 01:01.540 --> 01:04.630 align:start Chile, and Belize respectively. 01:04.630 --> 01:06.030 align:start Today we have the honor of having 01:06.030 --> 01:09.770 align:start with us Representative Pete Aguilar 01:09.770 --> 01:11.890 align:start in a moderated conversation with law librarian 01:11.890 --> 01:13.820 align:start of Congress Jane Sanchez. 01:13.820 --> 01:18.650 align:start So Jane Sanchez is the 25th law librarian of Congress. 01:18.650 --> 01:21.040 align:start She manages the operation and policy administration 01:21.040 --> 01:23.450 align:start of the law library, the world's largest collection 01:23.450 --> 01:24.870 align:start of legal material. 01:24.870 --> 01:29.240 align:start She assumed the position of law librarian on February 6, 2017. 01:29.240 --> 01:31.530 align:start Prior to the law library, Sanchez had been Chief 01:31.530 --> 01:33.080 align:start of Humanities and Social Sciences 01:33.080 --> 01:36.020 align:start at the Library since October 2014. 01:36.020 --> 01:37.610 align:start The division provides research service 01:37.610 --> 01:39.940 align:start in the library's main reading room, its local history 01:39.940 --> 01:42.860 align:start and genealogy section, its digital reference team, 01:42.860 --> 01:45.760 align:start and its microfilm and electronic resources center. 01:45.760 --> 01:48.320 align:start Under her leadership, services to researchers expanded 01:48.320 --> 01:51.030 align:start and outreach through the divisions, RSS feed, 01:51.030 --> 01:54.890 align:start has led to more robust use of the collections and services. 01:54.890 --> 01:57.460 align:start She's also served as a business unit managing director 01:57.460 --> 01:59.560 align:start at the U.S. Government Publishing Office, 01:59.560 --> 02:01.750 align:start as an associate director of Justice Libraries, 02:01.750 --> 02:04.400 align:start Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 02:04.400 --> 02:07.500 align:start as departmental head of History and Cultural Literatures 02:07.500 --> 02:09.710 align:start at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, 02:09.710 --> 02:12.970 align:start and as an acquisitions manager for electronic database at BNA, 02:12.970 --> 02:16.380 align:start Inc, a legal publisher, in addition to library work 02:16.380 --> 02:19.040 align:start at Harvard and the University of New Mexico. 02:19.040 --> 02:21.480 align:start She has received numerous awards over the course of her career, 02:21.480 --> 02:23.100 align:start including from the U.S. Department of Energy 02:23.100 --> 02:24.400 align:start for sustained superior service 02:24.400 --> 02:26.330 align:start and from the Justice Management Division 02:26.330 --> 02:29.990 align:start and the Smithsonian Institution for Workflow Improvements. 02:29.990 --> 02:33.460 align:start So Representative Pete Aguilar represents the 31st 02:33.460 --> 02:35.410 align:start Congressional District of California. 02:35.410 --> 02:37.850 align:start He was first elected in 2014 and serves 02:37.850 --> 02:41.180 align:start on the House Appropriations Committee in the 115th Congress. 02:41.180 --> 02:43.190 align:start He holds the leadership positions of Whip, 02:43.190 --> 02:45.660 align:start of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and is an assistant whip 02:45.660 --> 02:48.000 align:start in the House Democratic Caucus. 02:48.000 --> 02:49.590 align:start Representative Aguilar is a voice 02:49.590 --> 02:53.360 align:start for middle-class families throughout San Bernardino County 02:53.360 --> 02:57.070 align:start and prioritizes legislation that will nurture more fair economy, 02:57.070 --> 02:59.730 align:start where everyone has opportunities to succeed. 02:59.730 --> 03:01.650 align:start He is committed to policies that create jobs, 03:01.650 --> 03:04.830 align:start reform our broken immigration system, supports our students, 03:04.830 --> 03:07.680 align:start and safeguards vital programs for seniors and veterans. 03:07.680 --> 03:08.980 align:start He resides in Redlands, 03:08.980 --> 03:12.510 align:start California with his wife Alisha and their two sons. 03:12.510 --> 03:16.020 align:start So as a fellow Bulldog and the University of Redland's alumni, 03:16.020 --> 03:19.420 align:start I'm really excited and happy that you are here to join us. 03:19.420 --> 03:21.010 align:start And the Library of Congress 03:21.010 --> 03:23.670 align:start and Hispanic Cultural Society welcomes you both. 03:23.670 --> 03:25.110 align:start So thank you, so much. 03:25.110 --> 03:27.090 align:start After the moderator conversation, 03:27.090 --> 03:29.370 align:start we will open the floor up to questions from the audience, 03:29.370 --> 03:33.000 align:start so please, stay tuned for that and also you are welcome 03:33.000 --> 03:35.240 align:start for coffee and a quick chat after. 03:35.240 --> 03:37.040 align:start Thank you. 03:37.040 --> 03:44.300 align:start [ Applause ] 03:44.300 --> 03:46.030 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Good morning, everyone. 03:46.030 --> 03:47.330 align:start I think this is on. 03:47.330 --> 03:48.770 align:start Is it on? Okay. 03:48.770 --> 03:50.070 align:start Good. 03:50.070 --> 03:51.370 align:start Great. 03:51.370 --> 03:55.420 align:start I'm going to have issues with this thing here. 03:55.420 --> 03:58.290 align:start Good morning, everyone, and Congressman Aguilar. 03:58.290 --> 04:00.870 align:start It is my great pleasure to welcome you 04:00.870 --> 04:02.880 align:start to the Library of Congress today. 04:02.880 --> 04:04.740 align:start We're so excited that you're here. 04:04.740 --> 04:06.170 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Thank you so much for having me, Jane. 04:06.170 --> 04:08.840 align:start I really appreciate it and thank you all for coming. 04:08.840 --> 04:12.300 align:start Jane and I were just talking that clearly this 10 a.m. block, 04:12.300 --> 04:14.970 align:start there is a lot going on here in Los Angeles. 04:14.970 --> 04:16.270 align:start [Laughter]. 04:16.270 --> 04:17.570 align:start So thank you for choosing 04:17.570 --> 04:19.360 align:start to spend a little bit of time with us. 04:19.360 --> 04:20.660 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Yes. 04:20.660 --> 04:21.960 align:start Thank you for choosing us. 04:21.960 --> 04:23.260 align:start We're elated. 04:23.260 --> 04:24.930 align:start Thank you for joining us in celebration 04:24.930 --> 04:27.660 align:start of Hispanic Heritage Month. 04:27.660 --> 04:30.080 align:start And if you're ready, I have some questions for you. 04:30.080 --> 04:31.380 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Okay. 04:31.380 --> 04:32.680 align:start I'm ready. 04:32.680 --> 04:33.980 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Alright. 04:33.980 --> 04:35.280 align:start You are currently the representative 04:35.280 --> 04:38.230 align:start from California's 31st Congressional District 04:38.230 --> 04:41.770 align:start [inaudible] and the area within the Inland Empire 04:41.770 --> 04:46.720 align:start that encompasses San Bernardino, portions of Rancho Cucamonga, 04:46.720 --> 04:50.610 align:start and of course, Redlands. 04:50.610 --> 04:53.590 align:start As a former mayor of Redlands and now Congressman 04:53.590 --> 04:55.930 align:start to the region, how did you begin your political career? 04:55.930 --> 04:58.150 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Well, I began my political career 04:58.150 --> 05:00.860 align:start by just being devoted to service. 05:00.860 --> 05:03.860 align:start Right. But the most difficult part is kind of figuring 05:03.860 --> 05:06.100 align:start out where you go from there. 05:06.100 --> 05:08.680 align:start Quite honestly, I was a staff member 05:08.680 --> 05:11.040 align:start for an elected official and I loved that. 05:11.040 --> 05:14.260 align:start I thought that was exactly where I wanted to be 05:14.260 --> 05:15.560 align:start and who I wanted to be. 05:15.560 --> 05:17.190 align:start I want to give my boss advice. 05:17.190 --> 05:20.420 align:start I want to help make recommendations and suggestions. 05:20.420 --> 05:22.180 align:start I want to help make a difference in the community. 05:22.180 --> 05:25.150 align:start But no way, I don't want to give any of those speeches or have 05:25.150 --> 05:27.040 align:start to live with these tough decisions. 05:27.040 --> 05:31.520 align:start And then, you know, the more you get, I guess, 05:31.520 --> 05:36.860 align:start comfortable with in the public policy forum, 05:36.860 --> 05:41.740 align:start the more comfortable I became you know making decisions, 05:41.740 --> 05:44.240 align:start giving advice, having a little bit more of an opinion 05:44.240 --> 05:46.150 align:start on where we stood, the direction we should take. 05:46.150 --> 05:50.820 align:start And so, I started actually, in the nonprofit world. 05:50.820 --> 05:54.410 align:start I got involved and that would be my lesson to the young people, 05:54.410 --> 05:57.060 align:start is you know, just get involved in your community. 05:57.060 --> 05:59.620 align:start No matter what you're doing, 05:59.620 --> 06:03.520 align:start no matter where you land it's our responsibility to work 06:03.520 --> 06:07.250 align:start to make our communities a better place and there are hundreds 06:07.250 --> 06:08.550 align:start and thousands of ways to do. 06:08.550 --> 06:12.040 align:start Some very publicly and then some were private. 06:12.040 --> 06:16.070 align:start And so I got involved with my community. 06:16.070 --> 06:17.370 align:start I [inaudible] the board. 06:17.370 --> 06:18.670 align:start I was President of Board of Directors 06:18.670 --> 06:20.550 align:start for Habitat for Humanity. 06:20.550 --> 06:21.850 align:start I got to know members of the community. 06:21.850 --> 06:23.150 align:start I started talking about housing, affordable housing. 06:23.150 --> 06:25.340 align:start And then I got on the Housing Commission 06:25.340 --> 06:27.060 align:start in the city of Redlands. 06:27.060 --> 06:30.320 align:start And that was a fun outlet to dig into policy. 06:30.320 --> 06:32.610 align:start And then a vacancy on the City Council opened 06:32.610 --> 06:33.910 align:start and I put my name in for that. 06:33.910 --> 06:36.880 align:start And I said, actually one of my good friends, I said, 06:36.880 --> 06:38.390 align:start no I don't want to do that. 06:38.390 --> 06:40.300 align:start I just got married, baby on the way. 06:40.300 --> 06:44.040 align:start This is not the right time. 06:44.040 --> 06:47.200 align:start And he said, there's always going to be an excuse. 06:47.200 --> 06:49.300 align:start There's always going to be a reason not 06:49.300 --> 06:51.370 align:start to do something that's difficult. 06:51.370 --> 06:53.820 align:start But, you know, take the leap. 06:53.820 --> 06:55.830 align:start We're all there with you. 06:55.830 --> 06:57.130 align:start What's the worse that can happen. 06:57.130 --> 06:58.930 align:start I said, they say no. 06:58.930 --> 07:00.230 align:start People say no. 07:00.230 --> 07:01.530 align:start And he said that's fine, in the grand scheme 07:01.530 --> 07:04.150 align:start of things, you'll be okay. 07:04.150 --> 07:06.650 align:start I was appointed to the City Council as the youngest member 07:06.650 --> 07:11.310 align:start of the City Council in a hundred years. 07:11.310 --> 07:15.100 align:start Became the youngest mayor to the city after that. 07:15.100 --> 07:20.770 align:start And it was just a lot of fun to really dig 07:20.770 --> 07:23.900 align:start into local government, try to find solutions 07:23.900 --> 07:27.380 align:start without party affiliation, without any of that nonsense. 07:27.380 --> 07:29.320 align:start You're just working with five people for the people to try 07:29.320 --> 07:33.560 align:start and make a difference in your community. 07:33.560 --> 07:35.250 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: So how was the transition 07:35.250 --> 07:37.900 align:start from mayor to congressman? 07:37.900 --> 07:40.340 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Well, you have to build a lot more coalition. 07:40.340 --> 07:43.900 align:start When there's four other members of the City Council, 07:43.900 --> 07:46.760 align:start you need three votes to get something done. 07:46.760 --> 07:48.060 align:start So I really just needed two friends. 07:48.060 --> 07:49.360 align:start [Laughter]. 07:49.360 --> 07:53.040 align:start But in most of the votes that we had were actually a 4 to 1, 07:53.040 --> 07:58.170 align:start 5 to zero, and that's the way we liked it. 07:58.170 --> 08:00.120 align:start Here it's clearly more difficult. 08:00.120 --> 08:03.160 align:start It's more partisan environment once you put a D 08:03.160 --> 08:04.720 align:start or an R behind your name. 08:04.720 --> 08:06.560 align:start But I'll tell you there are ways 08:06.560 --> 08:10.250 align:start to be successful, even in that climate. 08:10.250 --> 08:13.720 align:start Just like any relationship, it just takes work. 08:13.720 --> 08:15.040 align:start You have to build those relationships. 08:15.040 --> 08:17.900 align:start You have to reach out to your colleagues across the aisle. 08:17.900 --> 08:21.620 align:start You have to understand and be self-aware that you're not going 08:21.620 --> 08:25.680 align:start to agree with, you know, everyone on every issue. 08:25.680 --> 08:28.850 align:start But find the two or three, or eight or ten issues 08:28.850 --> 08:31.940 align:start that you do agree with them on and try 08:31.940 --> 08:33.380 align:start to [inaudible] the needle and try 08:33.380 --> 08:35.200 align:start to build a broader coalition. 08:35.200 --> 08:38.520 align:start I was proud to work with Republican from South Texas, 08:38.520 --> 08:39.820 align:start worked on immigration. 08:39.820 --> 08:44.230 align:start We established a great friendship as a result of that. 08:44.230 --> 08:45.700 align:start I really enjoy spending time with him. 08:45.700 --> 08:49.440 align:start But we, you know, we're going to disagree about the tax bill, 08:49.440 --> 08:52.600 align:start we're going to disagree about healthcare, probably. 08:52.600 --> 08:55.080 align:start But we don't disagree about immigration policy, 08:55.080 --> 08:56.400 align:start making sure that we have [inaudible] 08:56.400 --> 08:59.190 align:start for so many young people. 08:59.190 --> 09:02.700 align:start So those are the things that we can do when we work together. 09:02.700 --> 09:04.000 align:start It's hard in this environment. 09:04.000 --> 09:05.300 align:start But it's possible. 09:05.300 --> 09:08.350 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Okay, very good. 09:08.350 --> 09:11.870 align:start How did your Mexican-American heritage affect your decision 09:11.870 --> 09:15.530 align:start to enter politics and how does it now affect the policies 09:15.530 --> 09:20.070 align:start and legislation that you're passionate about? 09:20.070 --> 09:23.800 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: My parents and grandparents all grew 09:23.800 --> 09:26.360 align:start up in the city of San Bernardino, where I'm from. 09:26.360 --> 09:29.860 align:start So walking around that city, being around that community, 09:29.860 --> 09:34.400 align:start we always had -- we always knew our diversity was our strength. 09:34.400 --> 09:38.220 align:start We always knew that that sense of community kind 09:38.220 --> 09:39.570 align:start of brought us together. 09:39.570 --> 09:42.830 align:start And everyone of us was afraid of our grandmother. 09:42.830 --> 09:44.130 align:start [Laughter]. 09:44.130 --> 09:49.070 align:start So that's what really united us as a community. 09:49.070 --> 09:53.590 align:start But, I think, as you're growing up what you find is, you know, 09:53.590 --> 09:56.320 align:start the elected officials and the people in the community, 09:56.320 --> 10:01.210 align:start and the business owners, doesn't always look like our community. 10:01.210 --> 10:07.210 align:start So that's why that kind of activism, and that discussion, 10:07.210 --> 10:10.290 align:start you know, really kind of [inaudible] I've got. 10:10.290 --> 10:12.040 align:start This is what I want for my community. 10:12.040 --> 10:13.880 align:start I want them to be proud of their elected officials. 10:13.880 --> 10:15.180 align:start I want their elected officials 10:15.180 --> 10:17.900 align:start to look the communities in which we serve. 10:17.900 --> 10:21.730 align:start And that's when I got a little bit of the bug and wanting 10:21.730 --> 10:24.040 align:start to give back at a higher level. 10:24.040 --> 10:28.390 align:start And it's still to this day the biggest source 10:28.390 --> 10:32.230 align:start of pride is walking into high schools and middle schools 10:32.230 --> 10:37.450 align:start and talking to young people, saying I went to this school, 10:37.450 --> 10:41.080 align:start this is what I was doing when I was your age, and this is -- 10:41.080 --> 10:44.310 align:start I didn't run for student body leadership. 10:44.310 --> 10:45.610 align:start I didn't do any of that. 10:45.610 --> 10:51.040 align:start I was shy kid and usually in the back, played sports, 10:51.040 --> 10:56.650 align:start and loved hanging out with his friends, and to kind of change 10:56.650 --> 11:01.660 align:start and grow and to become a little bit more community minded 11:01.660 --> 11:05.140 align:start for what my surroundings were has been a point of pride 11:05.140 --> 11:08.520 align:start for me and my community. 11:08.520 --> 11:10.310 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Very good. 11:10.310 --> 11:12.210 align:start So you are currently the Whip 11:12.210 --> 11:14.790 align:start of the Congressional Hispanic caucus. 11:14.790 --> 11:17.680 align:start What was your pathway to this leadership position 11:17.680 --> 11:19.610 align:start and what does it mean to be part 11:19.610 --> 11:23.120 align:start of the Congressional Hispanic caucus? 11:23.120 --> 11:24.430 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: So there's 31 of us 11:24.430 --> 11:26.210 align:start in the Congressional Hispanic caucus, 11:26.210 --> 11:29.160 align:start 20 House members, and two Senators. 11:29.160 --> 11:32.450 align:start First Latino to be a Congressional Hispanic caucus 11:32.450 --> 11:36.720 align:start member is now among us, Catherine Cortez Masto from -- 11:36.720 --> 11:39.040 align:start a Senator from Nevada. 11:39.040 --> 11:48.440 align:start So it's been fun to be part of that group 11:48.440 --> 11:49.740 align:start because we share that identity. 11:49.740 --> 11:51.350 align:start We share the communities that we represent. 11:51.350 --> 11:54.220 align:start But it's also forced me to think through, okay, what's important 11:54.220 --> 11:58.160 align:start to New Yorkers, what's important to Floridians and Texans, 11:58.160 --> 11:59.460 align:start New Mexicans, and Arizonians. 11:59.460 --> 12:01.040 align:start We're all representing similar communities. 12:01.040 --> 12:06.140 align:start But also, you know, Mexican-American is my heritage. 12:06.140 --> 12:09.470 align:start But there are Puerto Ricans in our caucus, there are members 12:09.470 --> 12:14.070 align:start from Central America, heritage from Central America. 12:14.070 --> 12:20.600 align:start And so make sure we because Latino is so inclusive 12:20.600 --> 12:25.180 align:start in our communities making sure 12:25.180 --> 12:27.770 align:start that we're truly representing everyone, 12:27.770 --> 12:29.480 align:start has been a focal point of what we do. 12:29.480 --> 12:32.570 align:start But it's allowed me to have these member-to-member 12:32.570 --> 12:35.840 align:start conversations about what's important to your district, 12:35.840 --> 12:38.450 align:start keeping in mind that not every district is the same. 12:38.450 --> 12:45.350 align:start There are members of the Hispanic caucus who are Latino 12:45.350 --> 12:50.360 align:start or Latina but maybe they don't represent a very large Latino 12:50.360 --> 12:53.050 align:start or Latina population and so be mindful of that. 12:53.050 --> 12:56.510 align:start Maybe their district is what we would call a swing district, 12:56.510 --> 12:57.810 align:start as well. 12:57.810 --> 13:00.730 align:start And so knowing that each of us represents a unique piece 13:00.730 --> 13:08.350 align:start in the community and we all come together and want to work 13:08.350 --> 13:10.880 align:start with one another on these shared issues is 13:10.880 --> 13:14.140 align:start so incredibly fascinating and important. 13:14.140 --> 13:16.040 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: So what does a Whip do? 13:16.040 --> 13:17.340 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Yes. 13:17.340 --> 13:20.050 align:start So the Whip position is a lot of fun 13:20.050 --> 13:25.040 align:start and Steny Hoyer is the Democratic Whip for our caucus. 13:25.040 --> 13:27.190 align:start And so I've kind of learned from Steny. 13:27.190 --> 13:30.470 align:start But I will tell you the single biggest thing 13:30.470 --> 13:33.900 align:start for the Whip position is knowing your members, 13:33.900 --> 13:38.040 align:start knowing your colleagues and having your finger on the pulse 13:38.040 --> 13:39.340 align:start of what they want to get accomplished. 13:39.340 --> 13:41.960 align:start You have to be willing to put the shared goals 13:41.960 --> 13:45.590 align:start of the group before your own personal goals. 13:45.590 --> 13:49.190 align:start So the Whip position means you need to know are there, 13:49.190 --> 13:51.710 align:start in a group of 30, are there 20 votes 13:51.710 --> 13:53.010 align:start for what we're talking about? 13:53.010 --> 13:54.430 align:start Are there 25 votes? 13:54.430 --> 13:56.510 align:start Or are there only five? 13:56.510 --> 13:59.310 align:start And maybe there are only five but I'm one of those five. 13:59.310 --> 14:01.300 align:start You have to have the self-awareness, 14:01.300 --> 14:04.490 align:start you have to have the leadership to be able to say, I will go -- 14:04.490 --> 14:07.420 align:start we will go where our caucus wants us to go. 14:07.420 --> 14:11.590 align:start And that doesn't mean that you can't continue to learn and grow 14:11.590 --> 14:14.680 align:start and I always reserve the right to try to convince my colleagues 14:14.680 --> 14:18.040 align:start that I'm on the right side, even if I'm in that smaller minority. 14:18.040 --> 14:22.210 align:start But knowing where your colleagues are 14:22.210 --> 14:26.570 align:start and giving them space to make those decisions, I think is one 14:26.570 --> 14:30.880 align:start of the things from my perspective is truly a tell-tale 14:30.880 --> 14:33.250 align:start of Congressional leadership. 14:33.250 --> 14:35.650 align:start You want to be able to ask people 14:35.650 --> 14:37.830 align:start where they are on an issue. 14:37.830 --> 14:40.490 align:start What is -- how would your district analyze this issue? 14:40.490 --> 14:43.960 align:start Where do you come down on it? 14:43.960 --> 14:50.080 align:start Well, this is what I would do and this is how I talk 14:50.080 --> 14:52.080 align:start about it in my community. 14:52.080 --> 14:55.560 align:start I mean, if you think you could get to a yes on this. 14:55.560 --> 14:57.470 align:start But if they say no or I can't or maybe, you have to know how 14:57.470 --> 14:59.610 align:start to calibrate, how to continue that educational discussion. 14:59.610 --> 15:01.420 align:start And we see this, questions 15:01.420 --> 15:02.880 align:start about the Congressional Hispanic caucus 15:02.880 --> 15:05.670 align:start but I see this is a broader Democratic caucus 15:05.670 --> 15:06.970 align:start that I worked in. 15:06.970 --> 15:09.200 align:start There are a lot of our colleagues who want 15:09.200 --> 15:13.520 align:start to be helpful to the Latino community. 15:13.520 --> 15:15.370 align:start They want to do what's right. 15:15.370 --> 15:17.230 align:start They just don't always know what that means 15:17.230 --> 15:18.530 align:start or how to talk about it. 15:18.530 --> 15:22.530 align:start And they don't know our community on issues. 15:22.530 --> 15:25.860 align:start So I think a lot of this is also our responsibility 15:25.860 --> 15:30.270 align:start in the Hispanic caucus to talk to our colleagues 15:30.270 --> 15:33.380 align:start who don't know these issues and to let them know 15:33.380 --> 15:38.510 align:start where the community stands on something and how we might talk 15:38.510 --> 15:41.850 align:start about it or how you might talk about it 15:41.850 --> 15:46.790 align:start if you represented a district that doesn't look like mine 15:46.790 --> 15:48.220 align:start to give people the background and the information 15:48.220 --> 15:49.520 align:start to make an informed decision. 15:49.520 --> 15:52.250 align:start But at the end of the day we just have to respect 15:52.250 --> 15:53.830 align:start where your colleagues are on this 15:53.830 --> 16:00.050 align:start and that's the beautiful part of this institution is being able. 16:00.050 --> 16:04.070 align:start I'm the only one that's here to represent my entire community. 16:04.070 --> 16:07.880 align:start And that is an incredibly heavy weight that I have 16:07.880 --> 16:10.410 align:start and each of us has that. 16:10.410 --> 16:13.250 align:start So I trust that my colleagues are making the right decision 16:13.250 --> 16:15.370 align:start for their communities as well. 16:15.370 --> 16:17.560 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Very good. 16:17.560 --> 16:20.120 align:start The Library of Congress knows your office well. 16:20.120 --> 16:24.620 align:start And your engagement with our surplus book program. 16:24.620 --> 16:28.130 align:start How would you define your relationship to the library? 16:28.130 --> 16:30.650 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: We were talking about this a little earlier. 16:30.650 --> 16:34.010 align:start I am just such a huge fan of the Library of Congress and the work 16:34.010 --> 16:37.710 align:start that everyone in this institution does. 16:37.710 --> 16:39.490 align:start But, I'll tell you, a lot of work 16:39.490 --> 16:44.670 align:start that they do is unknown, under appreciated. 16:44.670 --> 16:48.960 align:start And so, part of, I think, what we need to do as members is 16:48.960 --> 16:51.220 align:start to be advocates for the institution. 16:51.220 --> 16:56.820 align:start But to also let our colleagues know about programs like this. 16:56.820 --> 16:59.850 align:start That maybe aren't as widely utilized. 16:59.850 --> 17:01.790 align:start And to let them know the services 17:01.790 --> 17:03.130 align:start that the library can provide 17:03.130 --> 17:05.180 align:start to our communities back [inaudible] this is one 17:05.180 --> 17:08.200 align:start that has been so impressive to me. 17:08.200 --> 17:12.800 align:start The fact that the library is so generous with books 17:12.800 --> 17:14.100 align:start for our local school districts. 17:14.100 --> 17:17.720 align:start We worked with you to send a little care package. 17:17.720 --> 17:21.730 align:start There was a shooting in a school in San Bernardino, 17:21.730 --> 17:28.150 align:start where I'm from, and to be able to send a care package of books 17:28.150 --> 17:32.160 align:start to this school after that event to hopefully, kind of, 17:32.160 --> 17:35.840 align:start raise their spirits, give them something new and something 17:35.840 --> 17:40.090 align:start that they can tie them to us was really powerful. 17:40.090 --> 17:45.010 align:start And I always love that it's stamped, it's courtesy 17:45.010 --> 17:46.310 align:start of the Library of Congress. 17:46.310 --> 17:50.400 align:start Because I want that young person to also open that and say, 17:50.400 --> 17:51.700 align:start what's the Library of Congress? 17:51.700 --> 17:53.010 align:start And well, let's research that. 17:53.010 --> 17:54.310 align:start Let's talk about that. 17:54.310 --> 17:56.930 align:start Let's talk about what that means. 17:56.930 --> 18:01.950 align:start And to know that someone across the country was generous enough 18:01.950 --> 18:06.350 align:start to send them these books is just means a lot to me 18:06.350 --> 18:09.300 align:start and means a lot to all of us members. 18:09.300 --> 18:12.420 align:start But it was -- when you come and visit us, 18:12.420 --> 18:14.410 align:start in our Congressional offices, 18:14.410 --> 18:17.490 align:start you probably told me about this program. 18:17.490 --> 18:18.930 align:start Probably told me 50 things that you do but, you know, 18:18.930 --> 18:20.230 align:start you just get into town, and you're trying 18:20.230 --> 18:21.530 align:start to build your staff and it's very tough. 18:21.530 --> 18:25.280 align:start So it was a couple of other members saying, hey, 18:25.280 --> 18:26.580 align:start do you do this program? 18:26.580 --> 18:28.600 align:start You should make sure your staff follows up 18:28.600 --> 18:30.330 align:start and we're all doing this. 18:30.330 --> 18:32.590 align:start So it's also a little bit of that peer pressure. 18:32.590 --> 18:34.990 align:start And so that's where it's important for members 18:34.990 --> 18:37.630 align:start to know the services that you guys provide because I want 18:37.630 --> 18:41.630 align:start to be a resource to those new first-year members who are going 18:41.630 --> 18:42.930 align:start to come in December and say, hey, 18:42.930 --> 18:44.230 align:start be sure you utilize these services 18:44.230 --> 18:46.930 align:start and you talk to the librarian. 18:46.930 --> 18:48.230 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Great, great. 18:48.230 --> 18:51.120 align:start I hope you know about our initial library services 18:51.120 --> 18:53.710 align:start for the blind and physically handicapped, 18:53.710 --> 18:56.110 align:start and also our veteran's history project, as well. 18:56.110 --> 18:57.410 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Yes, yes. 18:57.410 --> 18:58.710 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Those are important. 18:58.710 --> 19:00.040 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Those are important projects. 19:00.040 --> 19:02.490 align:start And a little bit about my history. 19:02.490 --> 19:05.820 align:start My first job was working for my grandfather 19:05.820 --> 19:08.520 align:start who was a legally blind operator 19:08.520 --> 19:11.710 align:start and there is actually a federal program that trained him, 19:11.710 --> 19:13.190 align:start called the Randolph-Sheppard Act. 19:13.190 --> 19:16.280 align:start And he served in the Korean War, he came back, 19:16.280 --> 19:19.680 align:start and he lost his eyesight through a disease 19:19.680 --> 19:21.860 align:start when my dad was in his teens. 19:21.860 --> 19:26.320 align:start And my grandfather had to be retrained. 19:26.320 --> 19:29.510 align:start And he didn't know that this program existed. 19:29.510 --> 19:30.810 align:start A friend had told him and my grandmother about it. 19:30.810 --> 19:32.110 align:start And so he became a legally blind owner-operator. 19:32.110 --> 19:34.860 align:start So the programs that you provide go far in line. 19:34.860 --> 19:41.110 align:start And that's what I appreciate so much about the library. 19:41.110 --> 19:42.840 align:start And so much about our processes. 19:42.840 --> 19:45.920 align:start Those investments to make sure that everyone has a chance 19:45.920 --> 19:49.660 align:start and an opportunity that are so vital. 19:49.660 --> 19:50.960 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Thank you. 19:50.960 --> 19:53.840 align:start What have been the legislative goals of the Hispanic caucus 19:53.840 --> 19:59.060 align:start for the 115th Congress and what progress has been made? 19:59.060 --> 20:00.360 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Well, it feels like we've been playing a lot 20:00.360 --> 20:01.660 align:start of defense, obviously. 20:01.660 --> 20:05.380 align:start And this isn't a partisan discussion 20:05.380 --> 20:08.440 align:start and I'll tell you it's been incredibly frustrating 20:08.440 --> 20:15.420 align:start because I do feel that the administration is either 20:15.420 --> 20:17.230 align:start planned, executed, or fomented some 20:17.230 --> 20:18.530 align:start of the most anti-immigrant positions 20:18.530 --> 20:19.830 align:start that we've seen in a long time. 20:19.830 --> 20:23.910 align:start And so to try to dial that back, try to push back 20:23.910 --> 20:27.600 align:start with information, to try to make sure that my colleagues 20:27.600 --> 20:31.040 align:start and I stand up for the right things and that we push back. 20:31.040 --> 20:32.780 align:start You can see the administrations policies 20:32.780 --> 20:34.550 align:start when they're wrong has been something 20:34.550 --> 20:38.330 align:start that the Hispanic caucus has tried to execute 20:38.330 --> 20:41.970 align:start and put together a plan on how we do that. 20:41.970 --> 20:44.470 align:start It's been very public that our plans, 20:44.470 --> 20:47.160 align:start our focus are comprehensive immigration reform. 20:47.160 --> 20:51.400 align:start But we don't just want to be the caucus 20:51.400 --> 20:56.840 align:start about comprehensive immigration reform when we have Latinos 20:56.840 --> 20:58.140 align:start and Latinas who are in incredible positions, 20:58.140 --> 20:59.440 align:start in small business committees, 20:59.440 --> 21:00.740 align:start energy and commerce committees throughout this Congress. 21:00.740 --> 21:03.770 align:start We have individuals who have the skill set and working 21:03.770 --> 21:06.170 align:start on these issues for decades. 21:06.170 --> 21:09.120 align:start But this is clearly an issue that is very personal 21:09.120 --> 21:10.420 align:start to us and means a lot. 21:10.420 --> 21:14.080 align:start And so to ensure that we are making progress toward 21:14.080 --> 21:17.040 align:start comprehensive immigration reform has been a goal. 21:17.040 --> 21:19.630 align:start And clearly the most important thing right now is making sure 21:19.630 --> 21:26.670 align:start that we have a permitted fix for guideline to ensure 21:26.670 --> 21:31.870 align:start that young people who have DACA status. 21:31.870 --> 21:34.660 align:start Those who are DACA eligible have a path to citizenship, 21:34.660 --> 21:38.060 align:start is something that we will continue to fight for. 21:38.060 --> 21:39.380 align:start That's the bill that I authored and a bill that I plan 21:39.380 --> 21:43.280 align:start to continue to be a part of in the next Congress as well. 21:43.280 --> 21:45.390 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Recently we've seen a renewed interest 21:45.390 --> 21:47.630 align:start in politics and political involvement 21:47.630 --> 21:49.850 align:start from younger generations. 21:49.850 --> 21:52.980 align:start What advice and words of encouragement would you give 21:52.980 --> 21:55.860 align:start to those who may be interested in getting involved in local 21:55.860 --> 21:58.660 align:start and national politics? 21:58.660 --> 21:59.960 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Do it. 21:59.960 --> 22:01.260 align:start [Laughter]. 22:01.260 --> 22:02.560 align:start Jump in the water is fine. 22:02.560 --> 22:03.860 align:start We need -- and here's the important thing. 22:03.860 --> 22:10.000 align:start We need young people to feel committed to public service. 22:10.000 --> 22:15.500 align:start And I want people to see members of Congress conduct themselves 22:15.500 --> 22:18.040 align:start in the right way, to work in a bipartisan manner. 22:18.040 --> 22:21.030 align:start I want people to see that and to say, yes, I want to do that job. 22:21.030 --> 22:22.490 align:start I want to serve my community. 22:22.490 --> 22:25.560 align:start I don't want them to see the food fight of, you know, 22:25.560 --> 22:27.880 align:start what's on TV sometimes, the back and forth, 22:27.880 --> 22:30.870 align:start and to get discouraged and say, I don't want to do that. 22:30.870 --> 22:35.190 align:start You know, so, how we conduct ourselves is also incredibly 22:35.190 --> 22:38.610 align:start important because we need another generation 22:38.610 --> 22:41.810 align:start and continued generations of young people to say, 22:41.810 --> 22:45.420 align:start I want to serve, I want to make a difference in my community. 22:45.420 --> 22:47.360 align:start It may not always be the most glamorous, 22:47.360 --> 22:49.560 align:start it may not always make the most money, 22:49.560 --> 22:53.460 align:start but I can make an incredible difference in my community. 22:53.460 --> 22:56.530 align:start And so that's what I hope that you -- 22:56.530 --> 22:58.120 align:start I hope that you get there. 22:58.120 --> 23:00.870 align:start I hope that you find that sense of community in place 23:00.870 --> 23:03.210 align:start and want to give back. 23:03.210 --> 23:07.990 align:start Like all of our parents and grandparents to be able to make 23:07.990 --> 23:09.620 align:start that community a better place 23:09.620 --> 23:11.080 align:start and to leave it a little bit better than we found it. 23:11.080 --> 23:15.620 align:start That's getting more difficult to say that we are doing that. 23:15.620 --> 23:18.320 align:start And so we're going to need policymakers 23:18.320 --> 23:21.750 align:start and thought leaders to help us get there. 23:21.750 --> 23:23.430 align:start The only way we do it is by making sure 23:23.430 --> 23:25.840 align:start that the leadership tables look like the communities 23:25.840 --> 23:31.920 align:start in which we serve, to make sure that everyone has an opportunity 23:31.920 --> 23:35.320 align:start to give feedback and help make a difference. 23:35.320 --> 23:37.370 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean 23:37.370 --> 23:42.040 align:start to you and how will your office be celebrating this month? 23:42.040 --> 23:43.340 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: We attend a lot of events and celebrate 23:43.340 --> 23:44.640 align:start and honor our heritage and hone our culture. 23:44.640 --> 23:45.940 align:start But we try to do this year-round, too. 23:45.940 --> 23:47.240 align:start Making sure that we honor every culture in a community 23:47.240 --> 23:48.540 align:start and to make sure that they feel welcome. 23:48.540 --> 23:53.660 align:start And that's the story of our country is to make sure 23:53.660 --> 23:57.410 align:start that immigrants are welcomed and appreciated. 23:57.410 --> 24:05.800 align:start And so, we want to make sure that, especially this month, 24:05.800 --> 24:12.940 align:start we're doing everything we can to honor our communities 24:12.940 --> 24:16.190 align:start and to make sure that we're doing outreach, to make sure 24:16.190 --> 24:18.110 align:start that everyone feels that they have a place 24:18.110 --> 24:22.060 align:start in our society, community. 24:22.060 --> 24:25.000 align:start And to make sure that they are loved and respected, 24:25.000 --> 24:27.610 align:start I feel is important piece of what we can do 24:27.610 --> 24:30.660 align:start and that's what our office will continue to plan to do. 24:30.660 --> 24:32.060 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Great. 24:32.060 --> 24:34.460 align:start Once again, thank you. 24:34.460 --> 24:36.940 align:start Today is a reminder that diversity is one 24:36.940 --> 24:39.430 align:start of our country's greatest strength. 24:39.430 --> 24:43.090 align:start And Hispanic-Americans have always been and will continue 24:43.090 --> 24:47.370 align:start to be a key part of this rich mosaic, which makes our country 24:47.370 --> 24:49.840 align:start so unique and special. 24:49.840 --> 24:51.650 align:start With that being said, maybe -- 24:51.650 --> 24:54.080 align:start let's check to see if we have any questions 24:54.080 --> 24:56.720 align:start from our gathering today. 24:56.720 --> 25:00.700 align:start And we are delighted to have our Gonzaga students here today. 25:00.700 --> 25:03.040 align:start Thank you for coming. 25:03.040 --> 25:04.340 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Thank you for coming. 25:04.340 --> 25:05.640 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: Yes. 25:05.640 --> 25:10.550 align:start So questions? 25:10.550 --> 25:17.240 align:start Oh, come on. 25:17.240 --> 25:19.920 align:start >> My name is Carlos [inaudible]. 25:19.920 --> 25:30.690 align:start How do you feel that we as Latinos do to overcome this gap 25:30.690 --> 25:34.160 align:start that we see at [inaudible]. 25:34.160 --> 25:36.090 align:start You're at a position where you can give us advice. 25:36.090 --> 25:42.990 align:start So what's something you can say to us that will push us 25:42.990 --> 25:44.430 align:start and drive us to be comfortable with that. 25:44.430 --> 25:46.330 align:start Can you talk about that? 25:46.330 --> 25:47.630 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: I think what I would tell -- 25:47.630 --> 25:49.020 align:start thank you, Carlos, I appreciate it. 25:49.020 --> 25:57.670 align:start What I would tell you is if you are just by virtue of being 25:57.670 --> 26:03.120 align:start in those seats, you are doing things that make your families 26:03.120 --> 26:04.970 align:start and your community so proud. 26:04.970 --> 26:07.590 align:start But the road needs to go further. 26:07.590 --> 26:10.260 align:start You need to continue to make your families proud, 26:10.260 --> 26:12.060 align:start to continue your education, 26:12.060 --> 26:18.290 align:start and to continue being thoughtful members of the community. 26:18.290 --> 26:20.350 align:start That's how we make a difference. 26:20.350 --> 26:25.300 align:start And what I would say is, you know, many people are going 26:25.300 --> 26:27.820 align:start to be the first in your family to do a lot of things. 26:27.820 --> 26:29.120 align:start I was. 26:29.120 --> 26:37.690 align:start I was the first in my family to go to college. 26:37.690 --> 26:41.220 align:start I was the first in my family -- this sounds very weird, 26:41.220 --> 26:42.520 align:start but it was -- I was in my mid-20s, 26:42.520 --> 26:43.820 align:start and I was making more money 26:43.820 --> 26:45.120 align:start than my parents were making at the time. 26:45.120 --> 26:47.620 align:start And there's a responsibility that goes behind that. 26:47.620 --> 26:50.060 align:start And it isn't about dollar and cents. 26:50.060 --> 26:53.160 align:start It's about the responsibility to pay it forward. 26:53.160 --> 26:57.430 align:start The responsibility to help teach someone else, 26:57.430 --> 27:00.140 align:start to help mentor someone else to be successful. 27:00.140 --> 27:03.250 align:start And so, as you go through your schooling, 27:03.250 --> 27:06.920 align:start as you go through your life education, you're going 27:06.920 --> 27:10.710 align:start to meet people who help you. 27:10.710 --> 27:15.150 align:start And the most special thing is the individuals who help you, 27:15.150 --> 27:16.780 align:start who you learn later in life, 27:16.780 --> 27:22.050 align:start there is no reason why they needed to help me. 27:22.050 --> 27:26.040 align:start They took an interest in me and they saw something in you 27:26.040 --> 27:28.040 align:start when you didn't see it in yourself. 27:28.040 --> 27:30.760 align:start And I have those individuals in my life. 27:30.760 --> 27:35.140 align:start And it's tough not to get emotional about it. 27:35.140 --> 27:38.010 align:start There were individuals who believed in me much more 27:38.010 --> 27:41.050 align:start than I believed in myself, when I was in college 27:41.050 --> 27:43.130 align:start and when I went into business. 27:43.130 --> 27:44.970 align:start And I wouldn't be here without them. 27:44.970 --> 27:50.180 align:start But they meant the world to me. 27:50.180 --> 27:53.700 align:start So make sure you just pause and that you think about what 27:53.700 --> 27:57.570 align:start that individual is doing to help you. 27:57.570 --> 27:59.300 align:start It could be giving you political advice, 27:59.300 --> 28:01.310 align:start it could be giving you educational advice. 28:01.310 --> 28:07.040 align:start It could be giving you an opportunity to have a job. 28:07.040 --> 28:15.210 align:start And so what that individual has gone through, and every one 28:15.210 --> 28:18.930 align:start of the individuals that I can think of, 28:18.930 --> 28:26.440 align:start three out of the four were individuals in my community 28:26.440 --> 28:27.790 align:start who were older, Caucasian, and they saw something in me 28:27.790 --> 28:29.090 align:start because they knew that our communities were changing. 28:29.090 --> 28:32.590 align:start And they knew that -- they felt that I could make a difference. 28:32.590 --> 28:35.510 align:start And they thought that just by giving me a shot, 28:35.510 --> 28:39.350 align:start giving me some advice, that they could help. 28:39.350 --> 28:43.360 align:start And so find people, surround yourself with people 28:43.360 --> 28:45.190 align:start who give you the benefit of the doubt, 28:45.190 --> 28:46.490 align:start who will help you along the way. 28:46.490 --> 28:51.360 align:start Those are the individuals who you want to interact with. 28:51.360 --> 28:54.410 align:start Those are the people you're going to learn the most from. 28:54.410 --> 29:00.070 align:start And they're going to help open doors for you and they're going 29:00.070 --> 29:01.370 align:start to be your advocates and throughout life you're going 29:01.370 --> 29:02.670 align:start to have those individuals. 29:02.670 --> 29:06.640 align:start And later when you reflect it's going to mean the most to you. 29:06.640 --> 29:09.640 align:start You may not know it when you're in the middle of it 29:09.640 --> 29:12.440 align:start but it's going to mean the absolute most to you. 29:12.440 --> 29:16.180 align:start And it's going to drive you to make better decisions 29:16.180 --> 29:31.220 align:start and to help open the door for someone else behind you. 29:31.220 --> 29:32.520 align:start >> Hi, I'm Justin [inaudible]. 29:32.520 --> 29:36.630 align:start What is the one experience that you had 29:36.630 --> 29:41.050 align:start that really has taught you an important life lesson 29:41.050 --> 29:47.060 align:start that you would like to pass on? 29:47.060 --> 29:51.240 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: I'd say, Justin, my first experience, 29:51.240 --> 29:54.690 align:start I guess, as a community organizer 29:54.690 --> 29:57.400 align:start in politics kind of taught me a lot. 29:57.400 --> 29:58.980 align:start I was 10 years old. 29:58.980 --> 30:01.960 align:start And the Exxon Valdez spill happened. 30:01.960 --> 30:05.660 align:start It was a big oil spill that dominated the news. 30:05.660 --> 30:08.300 align:start Way before you guys were born 30:08.300 --> 30:12.580 align:start and now you're making me feel old. 30:12.580 --> 30:13.880 align:start [Laughter]. 30:13.880 --> 30:15.180 align:start I'm a pretty young guy. 30:15.180 --> 30:17.380 align:start I saw these images on the TV and I just -- 30:17.380 --> 30:18.680 align:start it drove me to want to do something. 30:18.680 --> 30:20.030 align:start I didn't know what to do. 30:20.030 --> 30:24.350 align:start You see images of wildlife, birds, or oil slick all over 30:24.350 --> 30:26.060 align:start and the clean -- the massive clean up efforts. 30:26.060 --> 30:28.950 align:start And so, what I did was, I was 10 years old, 30:28.950 --> 30:30.500 align:start my parents were not political at all. 30:30.500 --> 30:34.010 align:start And they voted every election, took us to the polls. 30:34.010 --> 30:36.030 align:start They showed us the importance of that. 30:36.030 --> 30:38.610 align:start But they didn't talk about who they voted for, 30:38.610 --> 30:40.870 align:start we didn't have those family conversations. 30:40.870 --> 30:44.000 align:start And so I just started writing letters. 30:44.000 --> 30:49.250 align:start I wrote a letter to the CEO of Exxon, basically telling them 30:49.250 --> 30:53.480 align:start that you guys messed up and you need to pay for this. 30:53.480 --> 30:54.780 align:start [Laughter]. 30:54.780 --> 30:57.550 align:start And you're a terrible company. 30:57.550 --> 30:58.850 align:start Something like that. 30:58.850 --> 31:00.150 align:start [Laughter]. 31:00.150 --> 31:01.450 align:start And so, I wrote it and I felt okay. 31:01.450 --> 31:02.750 align:start But I also felt that I should share this. 31:02.750 --> 31:05.260 align:start And so, I went door to door with my neighbor. 31:05.260 --> 31:08.140 align:start And I got people to sign the petition, basically. 31:08.140 --> 31:10.190 align:start Just a lined piece of paper 31:10.190 --> 31:12.550 align:start and I said this is the letter I wrote 31:12.550 --> 31:15.990 align:start and I hope you share this position with me 31:15.990 --> 31:17.750 align:start and I hope you can sign your name and I'm going 31:17.750 --> 31:19.070 align:start to send it to the CEO. 31:19.070 --> 31:21.760 align:start And my neighbors were like, what the heck are you doing? 31:21.760 --> 31:23.060 align:start [Laughter]. 31:23.060 --> 31:29.370 align:start But I think they all appreciated that that's kind of who I was 31:29.370 --> 31:30.680 align:start and it was a lesson, and that was kind 31:30.680 --> 31:32.720 align:start of my evolution and my growth. 31:32.720 --> 31:35.360 align:start And what it taught me was, you know, don't be afraid to get 31:35.360 --> 31:36.660 align:start out of your comfort zone. 31:36.660 --> 31:39.120 align:start You know, don't be afraid to try something different 31:39.120 --> 31:41.150 align:start that you haven't done. 31:41.150 --> 31:42.670 align:start If it's who you are and that's what you believe. 31:42.670 --> 31:43.970 align:start It's not wrong. 31:43.970 --> 31:46.730 align:start And so, I also think that your generation is the most open 31:46.730 --> 31:52.100 align:start about so many things that other generations are not open to. 31:52.100 --> 31:59.430 align:start So use that as a tool to encourage other generations, 31:59.430 --> 32:01.960 align:start my generation and others to be more open about who you are 32:01.960 --> 32:07.280 align:start and I think that's an incredibly helpful. 32:07.280 --> 32:09.320 align:start But I took it to school, I wouldn't let any 32:09.320 --> 32:12.070 align:start of my friends sign the petition. 32:12.070 --> 32:14.400 align:start I said, you're not 18, you can't vote. 32:14.400 --> 32:15.700 align:start You shouldn't sign this. 32:15.700 --> 32:18.910 align:start But I went to all the teachers. 32:18.910 --> 32:20.210 align:start [Laughter]. 32:20.210 --> 32:21.510 align:start And so, then I sent it. 32:21.510 --> 32:22.810 align:start I don't think it was 40 or 50 signatures on it. 32:22.810 --> 32:24.330 align:start My aunt convinced me to send it certified mail so I knew, 32:24.330 --> 32:26.790 align:start I got a little postcard back that they received it. 32:26.790 --> 32:29.050 align:start I kept that postcard for years. 32:29.050 --> 32:33.130 align:start So, you know, that was my first lesson 32:33.130 --> 32:35.440 align:start in organizing, in leadership. 32:35.440 --> 32:38.400 align:start And it taught me a lot about just kind of getting 32:38.400 --> 32:39.700 align:start out of your comfort zone. 32:39.700 --> 32:42.310 align:start Being a shy kid doesn't mean you can't make a difference 32:42.310 --> 32:53.120 align:start or have your voice heard. 32:53.120 --> 32:57.010 align:start We don't want to put all the pressure on the Gonzaga kids. 32:57.010 --> 32:59.120 align:start [Laughter]. 32:59.120 --> 33:00.420 align:start >> Representing [inaudible]. 33:00.420 --> 33:05.290 align:start I wanted to ask you about how others see you in Congress? 33:05.290 --> 33:09.010 align:start When there's this message of America first 33:09.010 --> 33:10.310 align:start and we're trying to stifle diversity. 33:10.310 --> 33:12.430 align:start What is the message that we can bring forward to help others say 33:12.430 --> 33:19.470 align:start that diversity is important and how do you carry the narrative 33:19.470 --> 33:20.770 align:start that your past [inaudible] community 33:20.770 --> 33:22.070 align:start over the majority of Americans? 33:22.070 --> 33:23.370 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Yes. 33:23.370 --> 33:24.670 align:start That's a great question. 33:24.670 --> 33:28.160 align:start And my response is every community deserves a voice 33:28.160 --> 33:32.620 align:start at the table and every individual matter. 33:32.620 --> 33:37.970 align:start I think it's generally accepted among my colleagues is what we 33:37.970 --> 33:39.270 align:start should be doing. 33:39.270 --> 33:43.450 align:start I think the voices we hear and some of this fervor we hear 33:43.450 --> 33:46.160 align:start from the administration is counter to that. 33:46.160 --> 33:52.050 align:start But I find it -- I find that having those conversations 33:52.050 --> 33:54.230 align:start with my colleagues makes me feel a little bit more at ease. 33:54.230 --> 33:57.710 align:start And I'm talking about both sides of the aisle. 33:57.710 --> 34:00.530 align:start Folks understand that we need to solve these issues. 34:00.530 --> 34:05.500 align:start We might not always agree on how to get there but I do have a lot 34:05.500 --> 34:08.380 align:start of confidence in the institution of Congress. 34:08.380 --> 34:11.550 align:start I think that we can do a lot more to ensure 34:11.550 --> 34:16.190 align:start that we raise our voices and we stand up to wrongs 34:16.190 --> 34:19.040 align:start where we see them as a group. 34:19.040 --> 34:23.610 align:start I do feel that we can do more. 34:23.610 --> 34:26.970 align:start But I do think that we are building coalitions in order 34:26.970 --> 34:28.270 align:start to accomplish that goal. 34:28.270 --> 34:30.130 align:start And that's what it's going to take. 34:30.130 --> 34:31.860 align:start Because not every member, as I mentioned, 34:31.860 --> 34:35.980 align:start is going to feel comforted knowing what it took -- 34:35.980 --> 34:39.060 align:start what's important to them in a community. 34:39.060 --> 34:41.210 align:start So it's our job to [inaudible] a segment 34:41.210 --> 34:45.980 align:start of the community is just not as large as mine or someone else's. 34:45.980 --> 34:50.360 align:start And so my belief is that they want to do right 34:50.360 --> 34:51.660 align:start by [inaudible] districts. 34:51.660 --> 34:53.320 align:start So we just have to show them. 34:53.320 --> 34:55.300 align:start We just don't know how, yet. 34:55.300 --> 34:59.060 align:start And so, it's on us to show them how. 34:59.060 --> 35:02.540 align:start To show them that the Latino dream is the American dream. 35:02.540 --> 35:07.110 align:start Better jobs, better wages, all the affordable healthcare, 35:07.110 --> 35:10.300 align:start access to education, better life for our kids. 35:10.300 --> 35:12.840 align:start That's the American dream. 35:12.840 --> 35:15.060 align:start How is that -- how are Latinos different? 35:15.060 --> 35:16.360 align:start We're not. 35:16.360 --> 35:20.050 align:start We want the exact same thing, clean air, clean water. 35:20.050 --> 35:23.050 align:start Those are things that Latinos want. 35:23.050 --> 35:25.010 align:start Not every Latino wants comprehensive 35:25.010 --> 35:26.310 align:start immigration reform. 35:26.310 --> 35:28.650 align:start And we shouldn't act as if that's the case. 35:28.650 --> 35:31.520 align:start But everyone wants a better community, 35:31.520 --> 35:33.040 align:start better life their kids. 35:33.040 --> 35:36.580 align:start So let's start with that as the umbrella 35:36.580 --> 35:38.130 align:start by which we can have a conversation 35:38.130 --> 35:43.750 align:start about all these other issues. 35:43.750 --> 35:46.340 align:start >> I actually have followed up question. 35:46.340 --> 35:48.140 align:start You mentioned the DACA bill -- 35:48.140 --> 36:22.930 align:start [ Inaudible question ] 36:22.930 --> 36:24.230 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: That's a great question. 36:24.230 --> 36:29.760 align:start And I think what we try to do is you almost work backwards. 36:29.760 --> 36:31.360 align:start It's what's the goal? 36:31.360 --> 36:33.050 align:start Who do we want to help? 36:33.050 --> 36:36.620 align:start And then let's make sure that the legislation fits 36:36.620 --> 36:38.900 align:start that -- fits that goal. 36:38.900 --> 36:43.210 align:start So at first, quite honestly, we had to decide in our piece 36:43.210 --> 36:46.090 align:start of legislation who we wanted to help. 36:46.090 --> 36:47.980 align:start And then that would serve as the basis for the -- 36:47.980 --> 36:52.050 align:start road map for the legislation that we would develop. 36:52.050 --> 36:55.340 align:start And clearly, and I was very selfish, 36:55.340 --> 36:58.370 align:start in all of my conversations with my Republican colleagues. 36:58.370 --> 36:59.670 align:start I would rather try to help more people. 36:59.670 --> 37:06.090 align:start And so that meant removing barriers, removing age caps, 37:06.090 --> 37:10.530 align:start that meant removing whether someone actually has that status 37:10.530 --> 37:12.360 align:start or whether they meet the DACA criteria, 37:12.360 --> 37:14.120 align:start what we call DACA eligible. 37:14.120 --> 37:16.080 align:start I want them to -- I wanted to make it 37:16.080 --> 37:17.380 align:start as expansive as possible. 37:17.380 --> 37:19.190 align:start So my colleagues agreed. 37:19.190 --> 37:30.130 align:start And so we were able to do something that was a piece 37:30.130 --> 37:32.340 align:start of legislation, that was more 37:32.340 --> 37:34.000 align:start than 700,000 who have DACA status. 37:34.000 --> 37:35.300 align:start It was two -- it would help 2 million eligible [inaudible] 37:35.300 --> 37:36.600 align:start people receive the path to citizenship. 37:36.600 --> 37:37.900 align:start But you have to work backwards. 37:37.900 --> 37:41.740 align:start And you have to, you know, you have to work to ensure 37:41.740 --> 37:43.040 align:start that we honor that humanity 37:43.040 --> 37:46.440 align:start and that we're all focused on the same goals. 37:46.440 --> 37:50.350 align:start But you have to stop to realize that not everyone 37:50.350 --> 37:53.930 align:start in Congress reads these pieces of legislation. 37:53.930 --> 37:57.410 align:start And part of what we have to do is we have to message it 37:57.410 --> 37:58.710 align:start and we have to sell it. 37:58.710 --> 38:04.620 align:start And so, honestly, we told many individuals, 38:04.620 --> 38:07.040 align:start look help us with this DACA fix. 38:07.040 --> 38:10.210 align:start This will put folks on the path to citizenship. 38:10.210 --> 38:12.130 align:start And that was all they needed. 38:12.130 --> 38:14.050 align:start We didn't even get into the details about age caps. 38:14.050 --> 38:17.840 align:start We didn't get into details of you have a free pass 38:17.840 --> 38:19.950 align:start to citizenship if you work, go to school, 38:19.950 --> 38:21.510 align:start if you've served the military. 38:21.510 --> 38:22.810 align:start Some people wanted more information 38:22.810 --> 38:24.110 align:start and some people didn't. 38:24.110 --> 38:26.130 align:start Some people this is a different part 38:26.130 --> 38:30.100 align:start and why I think it puts a [inaudible] on relationships. 38:30.100 --> 38:34.520 align:start And some people see the messenger and say, okay, yes. 38:34.520 --> 38:37.040 align:start I've got no -- I've worked with you on things before. 38:37.040 --> 38:39.290 align:start I know that when you talk to my staff, 38:39.290 --> 38:46.630 align:start but I know that you wouldn't try to pitch me on something 38:46.630 --> 38:49.040 align:start that wasn't right for my community. 38:49.040 --> 38:53.910 align:start And so, I think, that puts a premium on the relationships 38:53.910 --> 38:55.210 align:start that we have as members to say, hey, you know, 38:55.210 --> 38:56.510 align:start worked with me on stuff. 38:56.510 --> 38:57.810 align:start Let's talk about this. 38:57.810 --> 38:59.110 align:start Let me answer your questions here. 38:59.110 --> 39:00.410 align:start I want to pitch to your staff on this. 39:00.410 --> 39:02.320 align:start I want to go through the details of this. 39:02.320 --> 39:08.500 align:start Because oftentimes, what became a hurdle were leadership offices 39:08.500 --> 39:11.120 align:start here in Congress that were giving members 39:11.120 --> 39:12.570 align:start incorrect information. 39:12.570 --> 39:17.470 align:start And so we had to debunk that. 39:17.470 --> 39:18.840 align:start We had to put on out our own topic points. 39:18.840 --> 39:21.510 align:start We had to put out frequently asked questions. 39:21.510 --> 39:27.070 align:start And we had to really work on a one-on-one basis 39:27.070 --> 39:31.520 align:start with our colleagues to educate them 39:31.520 --> 39:32.820 align:start and tell them [inaudible] piece of legislation. 39:32.820 --> 39:34.120 align:start So making sure that the goal was always the same for us. 39:34.120 --> 39:38.740 align:start We have good partners and a good piece of bipartisan legislation. 39:38.740 --> 39:41.410 align:start And the goal is the same for both of you. 39:41.410 --> 39:43.460 align:start That's a great place to start. 39:43.460 --> 39:46.590 align:start And so that's what we try to do. 39:46.590 --> 39:52.230 align:start There are a lot of other social and societal discussions 39:52.230 --> 39:54.780 align:start that we could have under that discussion. 39:54.780 --> 39:57.620 align:start But honestly, we were just so laser focused 39:57.620 --> 40:01.280 align:start on how do we add five co-sponsors? 40:01.280 --> 40:03.080 align:start How do we get this think on the floor? 40:03.080 --> 40:09.760 align:start How do we improve this coalition of the bill? 40:09.760 --> 40:16.480 align:start You know, those were the things that we were focused on, 40:16.480 --> 40:17.780 align:start the very micro issues 40:17.780 --> 40:19.080 align:start of [inaudible] something that happens. 40:19.080 --> 40:20.380 align:start And it was just an honor to be part of that. 40:20.380 --> 40:21.680 align:start I'm going to go down to Texas and talk a little bit 40:21.680 --> 40:22.980 align:start about the path forward on immigration 40:22.980 --> 40:24.280 align:start with Representative Hurd this weekend. 40:24.280 --> 40:32.610 align:start And I hope that we can continue this bipartisan dialogue 40:32.610 --> 40:35.340 align:start that needs to -- productive piece 40:35.340 --> 40:40.660 align:start of legislation that we can enact. 40:40.660 --> 40:43.930 align:start And put on the President's desk in the next Congress. 40:43.930 --> 40:49.020 align:start Again, I want to thank you and the Society for having me -- 40:49.020 --> 40:50.340 align:start I don't think it's time to close yet but thank you 40:50.340 --> 40:51.640 align:start so much for the invitation. 40:51.640 --> 40:52.940 align:start It really means the world to me to be able to share some 40:52.940 --> 40:56.010 align:start of my experiences and talk about my time in Congress. 40:56.010 --> 41:00.120 align:start >> Alda Migoni: Oh, thank you. 41:00.120 --> 41:05.300 align:start Before closing there are still a little time for questions. 41:05.300 --> 41:09.280 align:start But we -- I do feel kind of separated from Congress 41:09.280 --> 41:12.690 align:start and I suppose you are our boss. 41:12.690 --> 41:13.990 align:start There are a lot of times when [inaudible response] 41:13.990 --> 41:15.290 align:start and I just really appreciate that you took the time to speak 41:15.290 --> 41:16.590 align:start to us and to [inaudible] the issues and to speak [inaudible]. 41:16.590 --> 41:19.010 align:start So that's great. 41:19.010 --> 41:20.750 align:start We are a tunnel away. 41:20.750 --> 41:22.050 align:start [Laughter]. 41:22.050 --> 41:23.350 align:start Any other questions? 41:23.350 --> 41:24.650 align:start 5 41:24.650 --> 41:33.240 align:start >> Jane Sanchez: We have someone here, too. 41:33.240 --> 41:35.250 align:start >> Hi. My name is [inaudible]. 41:35.250 --> 41:41.090 align:start My question is Congressman, there is talk 41:41.090 --> 41:45.130 align:start about [inaudible] task force American citizens along the 41:45.130 --> 41:46.800 align:start [inaudible] Mexican borders. 41:46.800 --> 41:48.100 align:start What are your thoughts about this? 41:48.100 --> 41:51.040 align:start Do you support it? 41:51.040 --> 41:53.690 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: No and this stems 41:53.690 --> 41:55.750 align:start from a Washington Post article that was recently put 41:55.750 --> 42:03.550 align:start out where the Trump administration is challenging 42:03.550 --> 42:06.800 align:start citizenship, challenging DACA immigration 42:06.800 --> 42:08.500 align:start that individuals have used to secure citizenship 42:08.500 --> 42:10.520 align:start and legal permanent resident status and citizenship. 42:10.520 --> 42:13.110 align:start And look, I think -- and this is what's difficult. 42:13.110 --> 42:15.070 align:start I want we -- there's a lot we need to learn 42:15.070 --> 42:18.130 align:start about the questions they're asking and what they're doing. 42:18.130 --> 42:22.690 align:start I have signed on to some letters to the Secretary to ask some 42:22.690 --> 42:26.500 align:start of these questions, of USCIS and of Homeland Security. 42:26.500 --> 42:29.290 align:start And I look forward to the responses. 42:29.290 --> 42:32.150 align:start What I would say is, we don't know enough yet. 42:32.150 --> 42:34.180 align:start But what we have heard, troubles [inaudible]. 42:34.180 --> 42:40.470 align:start And I feel like that statement can apply to so many things here 42:40.470 --> 42:45.600 align:start in the immigration space from this administration. 42:45.600 --> 42:50.860 align:start But I want to make decisions that are based on fact, 42:50.860 --> 42:53.300 align:start based on correct information. 42:53.300 --> 42:59.990 align:start But if they are going to individuals, if they are looking 42:59.990 --> 43:07.300 align:start at documents and challenging documents 43:07.300 --> 43:11.670 align:start without basis then I have a huge problem with that. 43:11.670 --> 43:15.750 align:start If they are targeting border communities and creating hurdles 43:15.750 --> 43:21.890 align:start and roadblocks in order to stifle someone's continued -- 43:21.890 --> 43:25.330 align:start LPR status or their citizenship, then I'm going 43:25.330 --> 43:26.630 align:start to have a huge problem with their activities. 43:26.630 --> 43:28.350 align:start So we need to make sure that we get the right information. 43:28.350 --> 43:31.550 align:start We get to know who they are talking to. 43:31.550 --> 43:33.770 align:start And what questions they are asking. 43:33.770 --> 43:39.440 align:start But I'll tell you, certainly the appropriations committee 43:39.440 --> 43:40.740 align:start and all that's questioned, you know, 43:40.740 --> 43:42.040 align:start what we were doing in committee. 43:42.040 --> 43:45.190 align:start I passed an amendment that surprised me, passed unanimously 43:45.190 --> 43:47.740 align:start in the Homeland Security subcommittee 43:47.740 --> 43:51.940 align:start that prohibits the administration 43:51.940 --> 43:56.800 align:start from deporting anyone with active, valid status. 43:56.800 --> 44:00.090 align:start And active, valid status who has served in the military. 44:00.090 --> 44:03.150 align:start And I thought it was going to be controversial 44:03.150 --> 44:04.690 align:start and they accepted the amendment. 44:04.690 --> 44:06.450 align:start We haven't passed that bill. 44:06.450 --> 44:09.140 align:start That's one of the CR that is carried forward. 44:09.140 --> 44:12.760 align:start But we have our colleagues on record that they are -- 44:12.760 --> 44:18.070 align:start that they want to pause on any deportation 44:18.070 --> 44:19.370 align:start of individuals with DACA status, 44:19.370 --> 44:21.180 align:start which is a good place to start. 44:21.180 --> 44:26.270 align:start [inaudible] other proposals, like that you mentioned, 44:26.270 --> 44:29.650 align:start that give me a great deal of anxiety and heartburn 44:29.650 --> 44:33.530 align:start because it's [inaudible] to send a message 44:33.530 --> 44:37.260 align:start to our community that in some way, 44:37.260 --> 44:40.560 align:start the administration is watching and action you have taken 44:40.560 --> 44:44.040 align:start in the past could be brought back up. 44:44.040 --> 44:47.040 align:start public charges in the news, this week as well. 44:47.040 --> 44:51.170 align:start So the fact that the administration wants to try 44:51.170 --> 44:56.310 align:start to prevent U.S. born citizens from utilizing services 44:56.310 --> 44:58.190 align:start for United States citizens, whether that be SNAP, 44:58.190 --> 44:59.490 align:start whether that's Headstart, 44:59.490 --> 45:05.100 align:start or whether that's healthcare, troubles me greatly. 45:05.100 --> 45:08.200 align:start Because those are things, I think, are out of bounds 45:08.200 --> 45:12.620 align:start and those are things that are in line 45:12.620 --> 45:14.550 align:start with who we are as a community. 45:14.550 --> 45:16.930 align:start Definitely in line with the guidance 45:16.930 --> 45:18.420 align:start that Congress has given. 45:18.420 --> 45:21.540 align:start So we need to make sure that we push back but we need to do it 45:21.540 --> 45:24.880 align:start in a way that uses information that we're gathering right now, 45:24.880 --> 45:27.210 align:start the administration has been very slow to give us those details. 45:27.210 --> 45:35.080 align:start So I look forward to survey and to getting more information. 45:35.080 --> 45:38.520 align:start And if there is a change in the next Congress, 45:38.520 --> 45:41.910 align:start I would hope the administration will be -- 45:41.910 --> 45:43.750 align:start our tools to encourage them 45:43.750 --> 45:47.100 align:start to be more responsible will be utilized. 45:47.100 --> 45:51.430 align:start So we'll continue to ask these questions and to make sure 45:51.430 --> 45:56.280 align:start that they're treating everyone correctly without harassment, 45:56.280 --> 46:02.510 align:start without discrimination. 46:02.510 --> 46:28.000 align:start [ Inaudible question ] 46:28.000 --> 46:31.150 align:start A little bit of what I said before is to surround yourself 46:31.150 --> 46:32.740 align:start with people who believe in you. 46:32.740 --> 46:34.040 align:start Right? 46:34.040 --> 46:35.340 align:start And once you have that core group of friends 46:35.340 --> 46:38.990 align:start and family members, it doesn't matter what anybody else says. 46:38.990 --> 46:41.470 align:start You can turn off that noise. 46:41.470 --> 46:46.150 align:start But, look, my path is probably similar to yours. 46:46.150 --> 46:50.370 align:start I have people -- when I was accepted to college, who said -- 46:50.370 --> 46:55.330 align:start I got a high school classmate who was valedictorian 46:55.330 --> 46:59.510 align:start and we went to the same university and he said, 46:59.510 --> 47:04.160 align:start that I got into the same school he did because of I got 47:04.160 --> 47:07.270 align:start to check a box that said I was Hispanic or Latino. 47:07.270 --> 47:12.070 align:start And in some way, in their minds, the contributions and the work 47:12.070 --> 47:17.080 align:start that I had done in high school to get there 47:17.080 --> 47:20.370 align:start and so there are going to be individuals 47:20.370 --> 47:22.170 align:start who minimize what you've done to get to where you are. 47:22.170 --> 47:27.300 align:start And the tough part of it is, you know, pushing through that, 47:27.300 --> 47:33.440 align:start knowing who you are, surrounding yourself with friends who are 47:33.440 --> 47:35.430 align:start in similar positions, making sure you always have somebody 47:35.430 --> 47:36.730 align:start to talk to about that. 47:36.730 --> 47:38.080 align:start It may not always be a family member 47:38.080 --> 47:41.620 align:start because not every family member is going 47:41.620 --> 47:47.250 align:start to have those experiences. 47:47.250 --> 47:51.160 align:start So making sure you have this corporate friends around you 47:51.160 --> 47:54.910 align:start who are looking out for you is important. 47:54.910 --> 47:57.100 align:start That will help you push through that adversity. 47:57.100 --> 48:00.480 align:start But don't every let anyone minimize the work 48:00.480 --> 48:02.590 align:start that you've done to get to where you are. 48:02.590 --> 48:08.300 align:start And now different people handle things differently. 48:08.300 --> 48:11.060 align:start I just kind of shrugged and kind of laughed it off. 48:11.060 --> 48:14.290 align:start And that's fine. 48:14.290 --> 48:19.100 align:start I don't mind that, I'm a pretty even keeled person. 48:19.100 --> 48:21.040 align:start I'm not a screamer or yeller. 48:21.040 --> 48:24.560 align:start But I was pretty fired up about that. 48:24.560 --> 48:29.790 align:start And it drove me to want to do better and to want to -- 48:29.790 --> 48:34.350 align:start you know, it's always good, it's always healthy to walk 48:34.350 --> 48:36.180 align:start with a little chip on your shoulder. 48:36.180 --> 48:39.410 align:start To have self-awareness to say, look, 48:39.410 --> 48:40.750 align:start not everyone thinks I can do this. 48:40.750 --> 48:42.760 align:start But I think I can do this. 48:42.760 --> 48:45.830 align:start And I think a little bit of that is healthy. 48:45.830 --> 48:49.040 align:start And so just know that there are a lot of people 48:49.040 --> 48:51.580 align:start that want you to succeed. 48:51.580 --> 48:54.550 align:start And your community needs you to succeed. 48:54.550 --> 48:57.490 align:start And so that needs to always be in your background. 48:57.490 --> 48:58.790 align:start People you've never met. 48:58.790 --> 49:00.090 align:start People you don't know. 49:00.090 --> 49:01.390 align:start They want you to succeed. 49:01.390 --> 49:02.690 align:start They want you to do well. 49:02.690 --> 49:07.430 align:start And that will help you to kind of push through any negativity 49:07.430 --> 49:16.150 align:start that you may hear or see. 49:16.150 --> 49:18.230 align:start >> My name is [inaudible] Gonzaga. 49:18.230 --> 49:20.680 align:start You mentioned that you were the first in your family 49:20.680 --> 49:22.550 align:start that had gone to college. 49:22.550 --> 49:24.280 align:start My mother also was. 49:24.280 --> 49:26.080 align:start Why do you -- 49:26.080 --> 49:38.610 align:start [ Inaudible question ] 49:38.610 --> 49:39.910 align:start >> Pete Aguilar: Yes. 49:39.910 --> 49:43.540 align:start So my advice is try everything. 49:43.540 --> 49:46.520 align:start And that's why -- I love -- 49:46.520 --> 49:50.220 align:start I went to a liberal arts college and I loved that. 49:50.220 --> 49:53.240 align:start I went in thinking that I was going to be a business guy. 49:53.240 --> 49:54.540 align:start I loved business. 49:54.540 --> 49:57.040 align:start It was kind of what piqued my interest. 49:57.040 --> 49:58.590 align:start And I kept taking these government classes 49:58.590 --> 50:01.990 align:start and finally a government's professor said, hey, 50:01.990 --> 50:03.800 align:start I'm going to have to kick you 50:03.800 --> 50:06.570 align:start out of class unless you change your major. 50:06.570 --> 50:07.870 align:start [Laughter]. 50:07.870 --> 50:09.310 align:start And so you don't know what you're truly going to love 50:09.310 --> 50:10.880 align:start until you try a bunch of these things. 50:10.880 --> 50:12.180 align:start Right? 50:12.180 --> 50:15.450 align:start That's why your parents let you play musical instrument while 50:15.450 --> 50:17.720 align:start you're doing sports, while you're doing art. 50:17.720 --> 50:19.020 align:start You just don't know. 50:19.020 --> 50:21.540 align:start I mean, I've got a 12-year-old and a 9-year-old right now. 50:21.540 --> 50:24.410 align:start And they are driving my wife and I crazy 50:24.410 --> 50:27.040 align:start because they want to try everything. 50:27.040 --> 50:29.200 align:start And we want them to do that. 50:29.200 --> 50:30.860 align:start We want them to find something 50:30.860 --> 50:33.390 align:start that they're truly passionate and love. 50:33.390 --> 50:39.010 align:start I'll tell you, when you do that and the light clicks, you know, 50:39.010 --> 50:40.750 align:start your Mom's going to be proud of you. 50:40.750 --> 50:45.880 align:start You're going to feel like you're ready to make the next step. 50:45.880 --> 50:51.180 align:start So that's going to be a powerful thing but don't feel the need 50:51.180 --> 50:56.420 align:start to just do one or two things or just try one or two things. 50:56.420 --> 51:02.290 align:start You know, you guys are going to be going to college 51:02.290 --> 51:03.840 align:start and visiting schools and you know, visit a couple of schools, 51:03.840 --> 51:05.430 align:start visit some that you think isn't necessarily, like, I don't know 51:05.430 --> 51:06.730 align:start if that's right for me. 51:06.730 --> 51:09.840 align:start But just get out of your comfort zone and see. 51:09.840 --> 51:11.300 align:start Walk around that campus and see 51:11.300 --> 51:14.080 align:start if you can envision yourself being there 51:14.080 --> 51:16.840 align:start and contributing there. 51:16.840 --> 51:21.290 align:start Those are things, I think that will make your parents proud. 51:21.290 --> 51:24.560 align:start And will lead to you being successful. 51:24.560 --> 51:29.500 align:start But, you know, get out of your comfort zone 51:29.500 --> 51:35.050 align:start and take some different classes that you may not always like. 51:35.050 --> 51:36.430 align:start I really think that will help make you a more 51:36.430 --> 51:37.730 align:start well-rounded student. 51:37.730 --> 51:41.110 align:start It will help you focus on what you truly like. 51:41.110 --> 51:42.800 align:start I didn't know about how much I disliked science 51:42.800 --> 51:44.770 align:start until I took astronomy. 51:44.770 --> 51:46.090 align:start And I said, this is hard. 51:46.090 --> 51:47.390 align:start There's a lot of math. 51:47.390 --> 51:48.690 align:start I thought I was going to look at the stars. 51:48.690 --> 51:49.990 align:start [Laughter]. 51:49.990 --> 51:51.290 align:start That was astronomy. 51:51.290 --> 51:55.050 align:start Man. And so, I said, I'm going back to government. 51:55.050 --> 51:58.610 align:start I told my friends I picked government over business, 51:58.610 --> 51:59.910 align:start I doubled major in both. 51:59.910 --> 52:02.260 align:start But I picked government because I loved that I could -- 52:02.260 --> 52:09.110 align:start it only mattered if I could make an argument in those classes. 52:09.110 --> 52:13.010 align:start If I could make an argument it didn't matter what my position 52:13.010 --> 52:14.570 align:start was as long as I could prove it. 52:14.570 --> 52:16.620 align:start In business and in math, right, there's always answers. 52:16.620 --> 52:19.390 align:start There's always answers to these questions. 52:19.390 --> 52:23.100 align:start But in government, let's talk about these issues. 52:23.100 --> 52:24.620 align:start Let's talk about 2nd amendment. 52:24.620 --> 52:26.370 align:start Let's talk about what this means. 52:26.370 --> 52:30.450 align:start And if you can, you know, argue it and believe it and back it 52:30.450 --> 52:33.160 align:start up with facts and citations, you're going 52:33.160 --> 52:34.900 align:start to do well in those classes. 52:34.900 --> 52:36.200 align:start I wanted to do that. 52:36.200 --> 52:38.220 align:start I wanted to kind of make my argument 52:38.220 --> 52:40.450 align:start and to give my viewpoints. 52:40.450 --> 52:46.630 align:start So be comfortable enough to know that there are other things 52:46.630 --> 52:50.460 align:start out there that you may not even have taken classes 52:50.460 --> 52:52.250 align:start on that you may grow to love and be passionate about. 52:52.250 --> 52:57.590 align:start Every one of us in professionals has these types of stories. 52:57.590 --> 52:59.690 align:start So just be prepared that you're going 52:59.690 --> 53:01.050 align:start to always continue to learn. 53:01.050 --> 53:03.670 align:start I tried to -- in these roles people will give you 53:03.670 --> 53:04.970 align:start a microphone. 53:04.970 --> 53:06.930 align:start They expect you to talk for, you know, a long, long time. 53:06.930 --> 53:12.350 align:start And I truly just love hearing what other people think 53:12.350 --> 53:13.650 align:start and listening and learning. 53:13.650 --> 53:17.000 align:start Never stop, and the librarians will tell you thin, 53:17.000 --> 53:21.300 align:start this is a journey, never stop learning. 53:21.300 --> 53:26.280 align:start And just be aware enough that even if something is 53:26.280 --> 53:29.940 align:start where you truly love, keep learning, 53:29.940 --> 53:31.240 align:start keep reading, keep absorbing. 53:31.240 --> 53:32.540 align:start And you're going to do -- you're going to be just fine. 53:32.540 --> 53:34.610 align:start You're going to make your Mom proud. 53:34.610 --> 53:37.100 align:start But don't feel it's a huge weight on your shoulders. 53:37.100 --> 53:39.520 align:start Right. You're doing exactly -- she may know sacrifices 53:39.520 --> 53:43.290 align:start and she took those -- she made those decisions so you could be 53:43.290 --> 53:45.930 align:start in the chair that you're in right now. 53:45.930 --> 53:47.800 align:start Know that, acknowledge that. 53:47.800 --> 53:49.100 align:start But that's not a weight. 53:49.100 --> 53:52.790 align:start You should be proud of that. 53:52.790 --> 53:55.710 align:start Your parents are going to be proud of you 53:55.710 --> 53:58.210 align:start in your next steps and your journey. 53:58.210 --> 53:59.730 align:start It's going to be a lot of fun. 53:59.730 --> 54:04.140 align:start And we're all excited to see what you guys do next. 54:04.140 --> 54:08.490 align:start Having to honor your family and your culture and your heritage. 54:08.490 --> 54:09.790 align:start My grandmother told me two things every time I would 54:09.790 --> 54:11.090 align:start leave here. 54:11.090 --> 54:15.870 align:start I could just go to the store and come back. 54:15.870 --> 54:18.660 align:start And she'd tell me two things. 54:18.660 --> 54:24.610 align:start Right. Which are to be careful and never forget who you are 54:24.610 --> 54:26.280 align:start and where you came from. 54:26.280 --> 54:29.540 align:start She tells me that and I always think about it 54:29.540 --> 54:30.980 align:start because I have an obligation to family, to community 54:30.980 --> 54:32.280 align:start to make this world a little better place. 54:32.280 --> 54:33.580 align:start That's what I want to do. 54:33.580 --> 54:34.880 align:start And that's what you could do. 54:34.880 --> 54:36.680 align:start I know that's what you could do. 54:36.680 --> 54:52.650 align:start [ Applause ] 54:52.650 --> 54:54.230 align:start >> Alda Migoni: On behalf of the Library of Congress 54:54.230 --> 54:56.130 align:start and the Hispanic Cultural Society at the Library 54:56.130 --> 54:59.050 align:start of Congress, thank you so much for this moderated conversation. 54:59.050 --> 55:00.780 align:start I'd like to thank you both personally 55:00.780 --> 55:05.010 align:start for just a really illuminating and fun conversation. 55:05.010 --> 55:07.040 align:start And this is a turbulent time. 55:07.040 --> 55:09.130 align:start So it's great to have these words of wisdom. 55:09.130 --> 55:11.910 align:start And I'm really happy that we also have our high school 55:11.910 --> 55:13.210 align:start students in attendance. 55:13.210 --> 55:16.160 align:start I did want to plug, on the same note, 55:16.160 --> 55:17.980 align:start we had a HACU intern ask a question. 55:17.980 --> 55:19.320 align:start And I'm a former HACU intern. 55:19.320 --> 55:22.970 align:start So before you leave off to college, 55:22.970 --> 55:24.740 align:start look up these type of internships. 55:24.740 --> 55:28.000 align:start It's a Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. 55:28.000 --> 55:32.400 align:start They give you paid government postings when you're in college. 55:32.400 --> 55:35.710 align:start So that will actually help you try everything, you know. 55:35.710 --> 55:37.300 align:start You could be placed in a government agency 55:37.300 --> 55:38.600 align:start like the Library of Congress 55:38.600 --> 55:40.280 align:start and realize you want to be a librarian. 55:40.280 --> 55:41.900 align:start Or realize you don't, and that's fine, too. 55:41.900 --> 55:43.200 align:start [Laughter]. 55:43.200 --> 55:44.740 align:start But thank you again. 55:44.740 --> 55:46.290 align:start And I do want to plug the rest 55:46.290 --> 55:49.660 align:start of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations will continue. 55:49.660 --> 55:54.020 align:start Tomorrow we have the America's Award in honor of two authors 55:54.020 --> 55:57.090 align:start who have produced great children's and youth literature 55:57.090 --> 56:00.830 align:start and in the honor of Hispanic Heritage, 56:00.830 --> 56:03.100 align:start Latino and Latin-American communities. 56:03.100 --> 56:07.020 align:start So please celebrate with us tomorrow here at the library 56:07.020 --> 56:08.320 align:start in the Jefferson Building. 56:08.320 --> 56:10.010 align:start So thank you, everyone, for attending. 56:10.010 --> 56:12.000 align:start [ Applause ]