It seems like anywhere you look these days someone is celebrating something ``Latino.''

CNN and PBS launched important series exploring and depicting the Latino experience in the U.S. The president hosted a ``fiesta Latina'' at the White House. Puerto Rican-American Sonia Sotomayor captured a significant share of the headlines this summer as she was confirmed by Congress to be the Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice. All of this hoopla comes on the heels of Hispanic Heritage Month, oddly celebrated from mid September to mid October.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos, this country's fastest growing minority group, make up 15 percent of the U.S. population. Census projects the total number of residents and citizens who identify themselves as Hispanic-Americans will double by 2050.

Locally the Latino explosion is nothing new. In Miami Dade County Hispanics are 62 percent of the population -- the majority of them of Cuban descent. Miami is to Cubans what Atlanta, Washington and New Orleans are to African-Americans. Because of the distinct and plentiful café windows scattered throughout Little Havana, we can call Miami, Café con Leche City.

Cuban Americans have excelled in many facets. Many exile narratives begin with ingredients similar to the immigrants who arrived at New York's Ellis Island. Hard work and a staunch determination to provide a better life for their children were cornerstones of that immigrant ethic. Another prevailing principle that stands out: the unyielding commitment to make this country a better place.

From the inception of the Cuban Adjustment Act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966 for a plethora of political reasons, Cuban exiles have received preferential treatment over other immigrant groups. Nowhere is this difference more evident and divisive than in Miami where thousands of other immigrants also struggle to gain permanent residency or citizenship in the United States and live the famed American dream.

As Cuban Americans we now face the challenge of being the majority in Miami. With majority status comes responsibility and an obligation to care about problems and challenges faced not only by Cubans but by everyone who shares this sacred land of freedom.

Half a century into the Cuban-American experiment, we have made many contributions to the United States and find ourselves at a historical crossroads.

On Tuesday, Miami will hold an election for mayor. The two leading candidates were born on Cuban soil. I hope for the sake of all the residents of our city that both candidates are aware of what is at stake. It's not about electing a Cuban to office -- we've elected Cuban mayors before (some more memorable than others).

Far beyond the insatiable beat of our music, our business acumen or our passionate pursuit of freedom for our homeland, Cuban Americans will be judged for the stewardship of this city and all of its communities. We will be judged for the compassion, understanding and respect we demonstrate for issues important to others.

This time, in this economy, with all our challenges, Miami's election should be about the well-being of all who reside in Café con Leche City -- because in the end, that will be the legacy of Cubans in the United States.

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