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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING NATIONAL HISPANIC AND LATINX/E HERITAGE MONTH
WHEREAS, National Hispanic Heritage Month was founded to celebrate the heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latinx/e communities; and
WHEREAS, Cook County celebrates the vast contributions made by Hispanic and Latinx/e residents in our communities; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is proud to celebrate the diversity of its residents and the richness of culture; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx/e individuals have long been part of the fabric of Cook County, first being reported on the Illinois census in 1850 and reaching a reported population of 25,211 by 1930; and
WHEREAS, the Hispanic and Latinx/e population has increased to 1,382,778, and represent the largest minority group in Cook County; and
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 of the Hispanic and Latinx/e community, and in recognition of the anniversaries of several Latin American countries Independence Day celebrations; and
WHEREAS, the independence of the countries of Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador are celebrated on September 15th, followed by Mexico on September 16th, Chile on September 18th and Belize on September 21st; 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, 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, 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 and southern parts of the country before the land was annexed by the
United States. 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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