File #: 19-5835    Version: 1 Name: CELEBRATING NATIONAL HISPANIC AND LATINO/A HERITAGE MONTH
Type: Consent Calendar Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 9/25/2019 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 9/25/2019 Final action: 9/25/2019
Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION CELEBRATING NATIONAL HISPANIC AND LATINO/A HERITAGE MONTH WHEREAS, in September of 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed Public Law 90-498 into law, authorizing the President to designate the week of September 15th as "National Hispanic Heritage Week" in recognition of the extraordinary contributions Hispanics and Latino/a Americans had made, and in recognition of the anniversaries of the some of the first Latin American countries to declare their independence; and WHEREAS, with the approval of Public Law 100-402 in 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed September 15th through October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month; and WHEREAS, Hispanics and Latinos of every generation have made immense contributions to the defense of freedom at home and abroad through courageous service in the United States Military, the arts, education, mathematics, science, literature, technology and philanthropy in this county and the world; and WHEREAS, Hispanics and La...
Sponsors: LUIS ARROYO JR, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), ALMA E. ANAYA, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, LARRY SUFFREDIN, JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI

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PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

CELEBRATING NATIONAL HISPANIC AND LATINO/A HERITAGE MONTH

 

WHEREAS, in September of 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed Public Law 90-498 into law, authorizing the President to designate the week of September 15th as “National Hispanic Heritage Week” in recognition of the extraordinary contributions Hispanics and Latino/a Americans had made, and in recognition of the anniversaries of the some of the first Latin American countries to declare their independence; and

 

WHEREAS, with the approval of Public Law 100-402 in 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed September 15th through October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month; and

 

WHEREAS, Hispanics and Latinos of every generation have made immense contributions to the defense of freedom at home and abroad through courageous service in the United States Military, the arts, education, mathematics, science, literature, technology and philanthropy in this county and the world; and

 

WHEREAS, Hispanics and Latinos have long been part of the fabric of Cook County, first being reported on the Illinois census in 1850 and reaching a population of 25,211 by 1930; and

 

WHEREAS, Hispanics and Latinos 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  Hispanics and Latinos, 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 Latinos 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, Hispanics and Latinos have contributed to Cook County’s social, political and economic development for over one hundred years and Hispanic and Latino/a contributions began at the turn of the century when millions of Mexicans came to the United States to work in agriculture under the Federal Bracero Program; and

 

WHEREAS, the numbers of Hispanics and Latinos greatly expanded during World War I and World War II when Puerto Rican and Mexicans 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 Latinos 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 Latino/a leaders in all levels of government have continued to shape the dialogue concerning the state and future for all Hispanics and Latinos, and continue to make their respective communities proud of their efforts; and

 

WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinos 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 Latino/a 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 continues to celebrate September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic and Latino/a 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 Latino/a Heritage Month; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body.

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