Hispanic Heritage Month Article

Celebrate Hispanic Contributions During Hispanic Heritage Month Honoring Our Past, Surpassing Our Present and Leading Our Future By Tomás Alberto Avila With a salute to Mayas, Incas, Aztecs, Arahuacs, Tainos and Caribes and a bow to the many Hispanics in Providence, Hispanic Heritage Month is once again upon us. In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. The four weeks of celebration will be pack with social events and festivals honoring Hispanic contributions to America. Hispanic Heritage Month is the occasion for the Hispanic community to come together not only to celebrate their accomplishments, but to share with America at large our diversity and pride as a people. As the youngest and fastest-growing segment of our population, Hispanic Americans are an increasingly vital part of our economy. Hispanic American-owned businesses and in recent years the number of companies owned by Hispanic women, in particular, have grown at three times the overall rate of business growth. Our citizens with roots in North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Spain have inherited an entrepreneurial spirit and an intense work ethic that have helped energize the strongest American economy in a generation. Throughout our history, America's promise of individual freedom and opportunity has drawn millions upon millions of immigrants from across the globe. As these newcomers arrived, they gradually wove their own traditions into the tapestry of our Nation's culture and society. The world's economy is becoming ever more interdependent and competitive, and these changes and others brought on by the revolution in communication technologies are lowering many of the old barriers to economic, cultural, and intellectual exchange among nations. In this new global community, the United States benefits greatly from the contributions that Hispanic Americans bring to our economy and our society. One of our Nation's greatest strengths is its vast diversity. The mosaic of races, ethnicities, and religious groups that comprise America provides us with a powerful energy and an ability to see the world from many viewpoints. Since our country's inception, Hispanic Americans have always been an integral part of this great mosaic such as Octaviano Larrazola (served 1928-29), became the first Hispanic American to serve in the United States Senate, follow by Dennis Chavez (formerly of the House, and

served 1935-62), and Joseph Montoya (also formerly a House member, serve 1964-77). In 2004, Ken Salazar and Mel Martinez (the first Cuban American senator), and Bob Menendez was appointed and subsequently elected in 2006. Dennis Chavez and Joachim O. Fernández the First Hispanics elected to the United State House of Representatives in 1931, Ileana Ross-Letinen, the First Hispanic female elected to the United State Congress in 1989. Indeed the history, culture, and traditions of America are greatly influenced by the contributions of those individuals who have their origins in Spain and Latin America. While the impact of the Hispanic culture is manifest in our Nation's customs and traditions, this legacy continues on beyond the pages of history. Today, Hispanic Americans continue to make important contributions to our society. It would be impossible to think of American Government, business, industry, Armed Forces, agriculture, science, sports, and the arts without noting the presence and full participation of Hispanic Americans. Judge Sonia Sotomayor was recently sworn in as the first Hispanic to serve a United States Supreme Court Justice, The recent release of the 2000 Census has confirmed that the Latino segment of the population is the fastest growing - and not only is it growing in number, but also in purchasing power. Of the over 281 million total population of the United States, Hispanics account for 12.5. Add to this, the double digit growth rates from 1990 to 2000, their concentration in the largest U.S. cities, and over $4 billion of consumer purchasing power, and these are indeed markets to take notice of. According to to a report released by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau, Latino Owned businesess totaled 1.2 million firms, employed over1.3 million people and generated $186.3 billion in revenues in 1997. Hispanic-owned firms made up 6 percent of the 20.8 million nonfarm businesses in the nation and 1 percent of the $18.6 trillion in receipts for all businesses. Hispanic citizens also are vital to America's success in expanding trade and developing closer ties with nations throughout the Western Hemisphere. Sharing a rich cultural and linguistic heritage with Hispanic Americans, these nations are already among our closest trading partners. Hispanic Heritage Month climaxes with el dia de la Raza or Columbus Day that celebrates the fusion of three cultures, the European Spaniard with the Indigenous People of the Americas and the Africans. Hispanic-Americans can look back and acknowledge the impact that Spanish explorers and Africans had over the Americas and the birth of the Hispanic culture. In many ways, one month seems paltry when you consider the contributions made by Hispanics over the course of over 500 hundred years of history. From the earliest mission towns to modern-day Miami, the vitality of the Latino community has always been evident. And as our presence grows we are slowly infusing America with our culture even

as we in turn become more American. Hispanics will change the face of America even as they will be changed by their new homeland. Over the next month, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we can reflect upon the heritage of the Hispanic community and renew our sense of la raza even as we embrace American culture. Policy makers and private industry have to understand that American culture has ceased to be static, while still, most ethnic marketing officials at companies assume a static mainstream culture. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to all!!