BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Resolution Declaring September 15 to October 15, 2019 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution DECLARING SEPTEMBER 15 TO OCTOBER 15, 2019, AS NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
Body
SUMMARY:
Each year, Americans celebrate the culture, heritage and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America during National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.
The Organization for Latino Affairs (OLA) has celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month with presentations and events at Valley Water to increase awareness of the diversity of Hispanic and Latino cultures and to recognize the contributions of Hispanic- and Latino-Americans, as well as their important presence within Santa Clara County.
This year’s theme is “The Afro-Latin Connection,” which emphasizes the African heritage in the Caribbean and Latin America countries including shaping the Hispanic and Latin identity and culture.
In observance of this theme, ABE and OLA hosted a multi-cultural musical event celebrating the fusion of African and Latin culture. The event took place at the Headquarters’ patio on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. The event educated, inspired and guided others as they learned the different history’s behind various Afro-Latin dances and foods.
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 Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively, and Día de la Raza, which celebrates indigenous cultures in the Americas, is on October 12 and falls within the period.
• 55 million people in the United States, or 17 percent of the nation’s population, are of Hispanic or Latino origin. Worldwide, only Mexico has a larger Hispanic population, as of 2010.
• During the 15th and 16th centuries, 25 times the number of Africans arrived in Latin America and the Caribbean than arrived in the United States.
• California has the largest population of Hispanics in the United States at 15 million.
• In Santa Clara County, Hispanics account for 26.3 percent of the population.
• In 2012, 8.4 percent of voters in the United States were Hispanic.
• 1.2 million Hispanics ages 18 and over are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Norma Camacho, 408-630-2084
Jerry De La Piedra, 408-630-2257