Columbus Day 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michelle Dean EMAIL: [email protected] October 12, 2009

RNHA Celebrates Columbus Day Lakeland, Florida – The Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) celebrates the 517th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas. Columbus Day was first celebrated in New York City in 1792, commemorating the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ historic arrival. Colorado was the first state to recognize it as a holiday in 1905; in 1937 October 12 was proclaimed "Columbus Day". President Richard Nixon, in 1971, declared the second Monday of October a national holiday. RNHA National Chairman Alci Maldonado released the following statement, “This holiday is called many different things, Día de la Raza in Latin America, Día de la Resistencia Indígena in Venezuela, and Discoverer’s Day in Hawaii. Regardless of what you may call this day, it is significant in celebrating the fortitude of exploration. The RNHA joins the nation in celebrating the pioneering spirit of Christopher Columbus and the impact his voyage had in bringing European culture, goods, religion and practices to the New World. Let us not forget that although Christopher Columbus was Italian, it was the Spanish King Ferdinand who believed in Columbus’ vision and thus subsidized this historic journey. ” ###

The mission of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly is to build a membership organization to foster the principles of the Republican Party in the Hispanic community, provide Hispanic Americans with a forum to play an influential role in local, state, and national Party activities, increase the number of Hispanic Republican elected officials, and create and maintain a network of Hispanic Republican leaders. Paid for by the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. www.rnha.org - Twitter: RNHA