THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY CRUZ, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Observing September 15 through October 15, 2010, as "Hispanic

Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth draws its strength from the

extraordinary diversity of its people and their cultural

customs; and

WHEREAS, Hispanics were the earliest European settlers to

arrive at our great nation, founding settlements in Florida in

the 1500s; and

WHEREAS, Mexicans established homesteads in the Southwest in

the 1600s; and

WHEREAS, Spanish was the first European language spoken in

the New World; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic culture includes elements originating in

Spain, North America, Central America, South America and the

Caribbean; and

WHEREAS, Latinos are the largest minority ethnic group in the

United States today, with more than 525,000 residing in

Pennsylvania, and they make valuable contributions to this

Commonwealth through business and industry, politics, education,

the sciences and the arts and share deep family values,

recognize their obligations to persons who are less fortunate

and cherish freedom and what it means to be an American; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic-owned businesses are currently growing at

three times the rate of the national average; and

WHEREAS, Throughout our history, Hispanic Americans have

shown their devotion to our country in their military service;

and

WHEREAS, Citizens of Hispanic descent have fought in every

war since our founding and have taken their rightful place as

heroes in our nation's history; and

WHEREAS, Today, Americans of Hispanic descent are serving in

our Armed Forces with courage and honor, and their efforts are

helping make America more secure and bringing freedom to people

around the world; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month was started in 1968 by

President Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded to

one month by President Reagan on September 15, 1988; and

WHEREAS, The dates for Hispanic Heritage Month were chosen

because September 15th is the anniversary of independence for 5

Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,

Honduras and Nicaragua. September 16th and 18th are the

celebrated independence days for Mexico and Chile respectively.

Finally, Columbus Day, or Dia de La Raza, also takes place

within the 30-day period on October 12th; and

WHEREAS, To honor the achievements of Hispanic Americans, the

Congress, by Public Law 100-402, has authorized and requested

the President to issue annually a proclamation designating

September 15 through October 15 as "National Hispanic Heritage

Month"; and

WHEREAS, The month of September 15 through October 15, 2009,

has been proclaimed "Hispanic Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania

and is intended to encourage all citizens to celebrate the value

of our diversity and the rich culture which makes our

Commonwealth and our nation so extraordinary; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate observe September 15 through

October 15, 2010, as "Hispanic Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.