Thursday, 18 January 2007

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America Ferrera is saluted in Congress

Ugly Betty star is honoured for her Golden Globe win

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera was already honored at the Golden Globes, and now she's been lauded in Congress.

Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-Calif.) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday to publicly salute Ferrera, 22, for her Globe win and for raising the profile of Latinos in popular culture.

"Madame Speaker, I rise today to congratulate America Ferrera for winning the Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy for her work in the ABC show Ugly Betty," Solis said.

"Through her work, Ms. Ferrera is breaking down barriers for Latinos in prime-time television. ... I commend America and everyone involved in Ugly Betty for helping to break down stereotypes and provide a role model for young Latinas."

Ferrera, the daughter of Honduran immigrants, told USA Today in November of her ABC hit, "What I think is successful is, it's not about stereotypes. They're not hitting piñatas every weekend. More important than having Latinos on TV is having a representation of the variations of what a Latino is."

Solis is serving her third term in the House. She represents California's 32nd Congressional District.