National Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation

With prior authorization by the Central Committee, DPCCC’s Executive Committee passed the following Resolution in Support of Women’s History on September 2, 2021:

WHEREAS President George H. W. Bush declared September 15 through October 15 “National Hispanic Heritage Month” on September 14, 1989; and

WHEREAS Hispanics/Latino(x)s comprise 27.9 percent of Contra Costa County residents, 39.4 percent of Californians, therein becoming the largest racial or ethnic group in California, and 18.7 percent of U.S. residents and the second largest racial or ethnic group in the nation; and

WHEREAS Hispanic/Latino(x) Americans made an enduring impression on our history, leading hard-fought progress for our country and bravely committing themselves to defending our nation and its most treasured ideals at home and overseas with heroic determination and perseverance embedded into our nation’s character; and

WHEREAS Hispanics/Latino(x)s writers, artists, chefs, and musicians enrich our humanities, arts, gastronomy, and culture; innovative entrepreneurs drive our economy; pioneering scientists and engineers make discoveries that revolutionize our lives; and advocates lead sociopolitical change; and

WHEREAS labor leaders and civil rights activists César Chavez and Dolores Huerta created more just working conditions for many Latino(x)s and organizations such as Hijas del Campo, United Latino Voices, and Concilio Latino today give visibility to the needs of our community and to the many brave Latino(x) essential and frontline workers who kept our economy, food delivery, and health services operating during COVID-19, despite being the most impacted ethnic group in Contra Costa County; and

WHEREAS the ever-present participation of Democratic Hispanic/Latino(x) Americans in politics and our justice system help create a more equitable society for all, including the first U.S. Senator, Alex Padilla; Secretary of Health and Human Service, Javier Becerra; Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona; first Supreme Court Justice, Justice Sonia Sotomayor; and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond; and

WHEREAS Contra Costa County is home to twenty-six elected Hispanic/Latino(x) Democratic elected officials: sixteen in District 1, one in District 2, six in District 3, two in District 5, one serving both Districts 3 and 5, and none in District 4; and

WHEREAS within the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County we have five publicly elected Latino(x) members, including Maria Alegria, Genoveva Calloway, Tony Tiscareno, Anamaria Avila Farias, and César Zepeda; Carolina Villaseca serving as District 3 Director; and both Anamarie Avila Farias and Marisol Rubio, representing our county as elected public officials and as California Democratic Party (CDP) E-Board Members with the latter also serving as Co-Chair of the CDP Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Standing Committee, all paving the way for greater minority and Hispanic/Latino(x) representation across Contra Costa County and California;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims September 15 through October 15, 2021, as National Hispanic Heritage Month and commits itself to serving as a hub for the collection and dissemination of information relating to and/or impacting the Latino community and to continuing the fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, good schools, a clean environment, access to health care, and equal treatment under the law for all; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County calls upon public officials, our Party leadership, and all Americans to observe this month by encouraging, elevating, and empowering Democratic Latino(x) leaders through engagement in the political process, community events, and internship/fellowship opportunities; by endorsing meaningful legislation and policies that directly impact all Latino(x)s; by amplifying the visibility and participation of Latino(x)s in state government and providing new role models through the advancement of qualified candidates across California; and by discovering exemplary Latino(x)s to fill vacant positions within the state judiciary and other elected offices.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the following called vote this 2nd day of September 2021

Authored by Marisol Rubio, María Alegría, Carolina Villaseca

Posted in resolutions.