BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Resolution Declaring September 15 to October 15, 2016, as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution DECLARING SEPTEMBER 15 TO OCTOBER 15, 2016 AS NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
Body
SUMMARY:
Each year, Americans celebrate the culture, heritage and contributions of Americans of Hispanic and Latino descent during National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.
The District's Employee Resource Group, Organization for Latino Affairs (OLA) celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through presentations and events at the District to increase awareness of the diversity of Hispanic and Latino cultures and to recognize the contributions of Hispanics and Latinos. OLA also highlights individual Hispanics and Latinos for their integral cultural, professional, and leadership presence within Santa Clara County.
This year's theme is "Honoring our Heritage; Building our Future," and emphasizes building a personal, professional and cultural future on the strong foundation of the contributions of those who came before.
To celebrate this theme, OLA will be hosting an event featuring Hispanic and Latino speakers from the community to discuss how they found their voices in their various fields and how others can do the same. The event will take place at District headquarters on October 13 and is intended to inspire and guide others in finding their voices in the workplace and in the community.
Some facts about Hispanic Heritage month and Hispanics and Latinos in America:
* Begun in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, the celebration was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period.
* The start date for the month-long honoring of Hispanic Americans, September 15, is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicar...
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