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John Disturnell, Mapa de los Estados Unidos de Méjico: Segun lo organizado y definido por las varias actas del Congreso de dicha república
y construido por las mejores autoridades, map (New York: J. Disturnell, 1847); from National Archives and Records Administration,
Records of the U.S. Government, RG 11
An 1847 map shows the states of Mexico and the southern United States at the time of the U.S.-Mexican War.
On September 30, 1822,
Joseph M. Hernández began his service in Congress
as Florida’s first Territorial Delegate, pioneering Hispanic-American representation
in the American republic. Like other Hispanic Americans in the federal legislature
during the 1800s, Hernández advanced from the periphery of the Union to hold
a brief term in an office whose core duties were more diplomatic than legislative,
working to turn the former Spanish colony where he was born into a state.
Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822–2012, chronicles the story of Hernández
and the 90 Hispanics who followed him into Congress.
1 In helping to shape
Congress, these
nuevomexicanos, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, Cuban
Americans, and Guamanians, among others, enriched U.S. history.
The United States House, the Senate, and the career trajectories of their
Hispanic Members have undergone extensive change during this span of nearly
two centuries. During our research for this book, several recurring themes
raised the following questions: How did these individuals’ experiences compare
to those of other newly enfranchised Americans, particularly African Americans
during Reconstruction and women in the early 20th century? To what degree
did American expansion influence the story of Hispanic Americans in Congress?
How did their decades-long status as statutory representatives with constituents
at the fringes of the continental United States affect their legislative priorities
and shape their legislative styles? What was their reaction to the political culture
of Capitol Hill, and how did they overcome institutional barriers?
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