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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING NATIONAL HISPANIC AND LATINX/E HERITAGE MONTH
WHEREAS, National Hispanic and Latinx/e Heritage Month takes place on September 15 to October 15 every year to celebrate the diverse culture, extensive histories of the Latin/e community as well as contributions to society; and
WHEREAS, in 1968, Public Law 90-48 was passed which celebrated a week of Hispanic and Latinx/e Heritage was under President Lyndon Johnson; and
WHEREAS, with the approval of Public Law 100-402 it was extended to a month in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan and was enacted into law on August 17, 1988; and
WHEREAS, with the independence of the countries of Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador are celebrated on September 15, followed by Mexico on September 16, Chile on September 18 and Belize on September 21; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e individuals all over the country have made significant contributions to the United States in various forms from generation to generation; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, community gatherings, conferences, etc; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e individuals of every generation have made immense contributions through their courageous service in the United States Military, the arts, education, mathematics, science, literature, technology, and philanthropy in this county and the world; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e Heritage Month allows individuals to share their culture with the rest of the world as well as learn from one another; and
WHEREAS, the population of Hispanic and Latinx/e has increased over the years with many arriving in large numbers to work different jobs which have helped build this nation; and
WHEREAS, according to the Pew Research Center, about 19% of the population is Hispanic, making it the second largest racial/ethnic group in the United States; and
WHEREAS, programs such as the Bracero Program in 1942 allowed Hispanics/Latinxs/es to migrate to the United States and work jobs which played an important role in the economy; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e Heritage Month acknowledges Hispanic leaders who have stayed in the struggle for equal justice to ensure that everyone in this country has an opportunity to thrive and grow; and
WHEREAS, many of the Hispanic/Latinx/e population resides in communities like Little Village, Pilsen, Back of the Yards, Southeast Chicago, Humbolt Park, and continue to live and flourish throughout Cook County. and
WHEREAS, Hispanics and Latinx/e have contributed to historical school desegregation efforts in the United States of America, starting in the 1930’s in the State of Texas, that led to efforts in California, that culminated in the impactful decision made in the state California in 1946 in Mendez v. Westminster School District, and Hispanic and Latinx/e, long after the desegregation of schools, have continued to fight for better education, such as the 2001 Hunger Strike in the Little Village community to have a new high school built; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e continue to strive and excel in higher education, and continue to endeavor for the acceptance of immigrant students in institutions of higher learning, and continue to strive for equal treatment by the Federal Government on education financing; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e have contributed to Cook County’s social, political and economic development for over one hundred years and Hispanic and Latinx/e contributions began centuries ago when they resided in the most western part of the country before it was annexed by the United States and treaties were broken. Then at the turn of the century millions of Mexicans came to the United States to work in agriculture under the Federal Bracero Program; and
WHEREAS, the population numbers of Hispanics and Latinx/e in Cook County greatly expanded during World War I and World War II when Puerto Rican and Mexican immigrants began arriving in large numbers to work in the steel mills, stockyards and packinghouses and helped to build Cook County into an industrial powerhouse; and
WHEREAS, Hispanics and Latinx/e have made considerable strides in the electoral arena, and continue to be a growing force shaping the local and national discourse that have led to growing numbers in leadership at all levels; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e leaders in all levels of government have continued to shape the dialogue concerning the state and future for all Hispanics and Latinx/e individuals, and continue to make their respective communities proud of their efforts; and
WHEREAS, Hispanics and Latinx/e have established vibrant communities in the traditional port of entry communities of Humboldt Park, Little Village, Pilsen, Back of the Yards, Southeast Chicago and continue to live and flourish throughout Cook County; and
WHEREAS, there are more than 50,000 Hispanic and Latinx/e owned businesses across Cook County and this entrepreneurial vibrancy has helped revitalize numerous communities in Chicago and suburban communities; and
WHEREAS, Cook County’s economy has always been a magnet for immigrant laborers from all over the world and immigrants from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America in particular and Cook County continues to welcome and value the contributions of immigrants.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby continue to celebrate September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic and Latinx/e Heritage Month in Cook County, and encourages all Cook County residents to learn about the contributions of this community as well as partake in the many celebrations, festivities and activities in honor of National Hispanic and Latinx/e Heritage Month; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this
Honorable Body.
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