National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation September 15 – October 15, 2024
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 26.4 percent of Contra Costa County residents, 40 percent of Californians, therein becoming the largest racial or ethnic group in California, and 18 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; U.S. Representative for California’s 33rd Congressional District and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Pete Aguilar: and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond; and
WHEREAS Contra Costa County is home to many elected Hispanic/Latino(x) Democratic elected officials; and, within the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, we have several publicly elected Latino(x) members, as well as elected public officials and California Democratic Party (CDP) E-Board Members, all paving the way for greater minority and Hispanic/Latino(x) representation across Contra Costa County and California; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims September 15 through October 15, 2024, as National Hispanic Heritage Month and commits itself to serving as a center 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.
Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, August 29, 2024
Originally authored by Marisol Rubio, Carolina Villaseca, and María Alegría. Reviewed by Carolina Villaseca in 2024.