File #: 2017-4650 (5 minutes)   
Type: Proclamation/Special Order
Body: City Council
On agenda: 9/19/2017
Title: Proclamation Declaring September 15 through October 15, 2017 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. (City Manager 2110)
Title

Proclamation Declaring September 15 through October 15, 2017 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. (City Manager 2110)

Body

Proclamation

Whereas, Hispanic and Latino Americans represent a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds, with the majority of Mexican ancestry, and others tracing their ancestry to countries where they speak Spanish and countries in Latin America such as Chile, Columbia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, and Puerto Rico. Hispanics represent approximately 17% of the United States' population, the nation's largest ethnic minority; and

Whereas, the values of the Hispanic and Latino communities as expressed by C?sar Ch?vez - service to others, sacrifice, a preference to help the most needy, determination, non-violence, acceptance of all people, respect for life and the environment, celebrating community, knowledge, and innovation - are America's values; and

Whereas, In 2009, the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor became the first justice of Hispanic heritage to serve on the United States Supreme Court; there are currently 30 Hispanics serving in the House of Representatives and three in the Senate; and, in 2014, I became the City of Alameda's first Mayor of Hispanic heritage; and

Whereas, like other Americans, many Hispanics and Latinos have overcome great obstacles to persevere and flourish in every sector of our society, however, Latinos still comprise less than one percent of CEOs at top Fortune 500 companies; and

Whereas, as Hispanics and Latinos continue to enrich our Nation's character and shape our common future, they strengthen America's promise and affirm the narrative of American unity and progress; and

Whereas, following Alameda Unified School District's core value of "Everyone Belongs Here," which the City joined, in 2016 when AUSD launched its Latino Achievement Roundtable, ALCANCE, whose mission is to promote a positive and successful educational experience for all Latinos in Alameda; and
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