09-R340

2009 -- S 1050

Enacted 09/09/09

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 15TH THROUGH OCTOBER 15TH OF 2009 TO BE

"HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Jabour, Pinga, Cote, and Sosnowski

Date Introduced: September 09, 2009

     WHEREAS, The United States has more than 44 million Hispanic-Americans, making

people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Hispanics also constitute

the largest minority group in the Ocean State; and

     WHEREAS, In September of 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to

proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month-

long celebration, from September 15th through October 15th; and

     WHEREAS, During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of residents

who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America,

South America, and the Caribbean; and

     WHEREAS, September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because

it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador,

Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence

days shortly thereafter, on September 16th and September 18th, respectively; and

      WHEREAS, Hispanic-Americans have brought the gifts of law, religion, agriculture, art,

music, cuisine, education, civil rights, business, politics, and technology to our nation and to this

state; and

      WHEREAS, In August of 2009, Sonia Maria Sotomayor became the 111th Justice of the

Supreme Court of the United States and its first Hispanic Justice; and

      WHEREAS, Over one million Hispanic-Americans are veterans of the United States

armed forces, who faithfully defended the principles of freedom and democracy, and forty-one

Hispanic-Americans earned the nation’s highest honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor; and

     WHEREAS, The heritage and culture of Hispanic-Americans have made immense

contributions to the quality of life and the overall vitality of our nation and this state; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims September 15th through October 15th of 2009 to be “Hispanic Heritage Month”

in the State of Rhode Island. We furthermore call upon the people of this state, especially the

educational community, to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Hispanic Heritage Committee of Rhode

Island.

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LC02990

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