Something's missing! As a Hispanic in this great country, I can walk tall knowing that our contributions to the American ideal is everyday becoming more visible.

But something's missing!

Recent studies show that Hispanic purchasing power continues to increase at a healthy pace. Hispanics are opening new businesses and moving into the upper echelons of Corporate America.

But something is missing!

Hispanic women are making their presence felt in the marketplace and contributing in great numbers.

Still, something is missing.

I have it! I know what's missing! A celebration! I mean a celebration of finally being able to have a voice in America?a real voice.

As we continue to make great strides, I believe it's time to stop and acknowledge our growing U.S. Hispanic population with increasing Hispanic employment, educational attainment, and a total U.S. disposable income which grew from $7.8 trillion to $8.1 trillion in the last 12 months. Hispanic purchasing power represents more than 7.4 percent of total U.S. purchasing power, compared with 6.9 percent last year*. These are impressive numbers that shouldn't go unnoticed.

I think it's time we celebrate the great distances we've traversed; from migrants and immigrants to contributing members of a great nation.

I want to us to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and the arrival of Hispanicus Economicus. More than just manual laborers, they are intellectuals, business people, educators, artists and so on, who are raising their voices and shaping the economics and politics of America.

Hispanicus Economicus is the next generation of entrepreneurs and business people who've crossed over not only borders and oceans, but into the 21st century with a proud heritage firmly intact. Yes, we should celebrate.

We should look back and not forget how hard it was for us to get this far. And then we should look forward and see the vistas of possibilities, not solely in the dirt fields, but in the cubicle acres of American business.

I love this country because it is a nation that stands together against adversity. In much the same spirit, the birth and objective of this magazine is to provide a vehicle for galvanizing the Hispanic spirit and celebrating our achievements.

Hispanicus Economicus has arrived. So, let's celebrate our successes and growing prominence on the American business landscape. Let's have a 'fiesta' amongst ourselves to celebrate the possibilities of our collective collaborations. Let's formally announce our arrival and toast to each other's successes.

*source: HispanTelligence ?

Victor Gonzalez, top Hispanic motivational speaker and author of "The LOGIC of Success". For more info go to: www.thelogicofsuccess.com or by email victor@thelogicofsuccess.com