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American Morning

CNN to Profile Upper-Class Hispanics

Aired April 09, 2001 - 09:43   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The most recent census shows that the Hispanic population in United States has grown by nearly 60 percent in 10 years. But just 2 percent earn more than $75,000 a year.

All this week, Maria Hinojosa will be profiling Hispanics at the top of the economic ladder. Here's a sneak preview of three of the people she profiles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From his swank corner office on the 50th floor, Cuban-born Jose Fernandez really is at the top of his game. He's the only Latino partner at the prestigious law firm O'Melveny & Myers.

Juan moved his family from small-town Mexico, from baths in plastic tubs to electricity and running water.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At first, when we arrived here, it was difficult, it was hard, but you get used to it. You make effort, and you get used to it.

HINOJOSA: Early morning in small-town New Jersey, Jeffrey Vega (ph) rallies his troops.

VEGA (ph): I'll take you to school.

They're my family. They're my blood. They're part of my identity, part of who I am.

HINOJOSA (on camera): And who Jeffrey Vega (ph) is reflects a transformation of New Jersey's Main Street. It's the same change that's being mirrored across the country, where, over the past 10 years, the Latino population grew by 58 percent.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Watch for Maria's reports on "Hispanics in America: The Upper Class," beginning this evening on "CNN TONIGHT."

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