Bill Text: PA SR173 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Observing September 15 through October 15, 2009, as "Hispanic Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2009-09-17 - Introduced and adopted [SR173 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR173-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1411
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 173 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, BOSCOLA, FERLO, KITCHEN, FONTANA, RAFFERTY, HUGHES, O'PAKE, LOGAN, COSTA, PILEGGI, ORIE, BRUBAKER, DINNIMAN, MUSTO AND SMUCKER, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Observing September 15 through October 15, 2009, as "Hispanic
Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth draws its strength from the
extraordinary diversity of its people and their cultural
customs; and
WHEREAS, Hispanics were the earliest European settlers to
arrive at our great nation, founding settlements in Florida in
the 1500s; and
WHEREAS, Mexicans established homesteads in the Southwest in
the 1600s; and
WHEREAS, Spanish was the first European language spoken in
the New World; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic culture includes elements originating in
Spain, North America, Central America, South America and the
Caribbean; and
WHEREAS, Latinos are the largest minority ethnic group in the
United States today, with more than 525,000 residing in
Pennsylvania, and they make valuable contributions to this
Commonwealth through business and industry, politics, education,
the sciences and the arts and share deep family values,
recognize their obligations to persons who are less fortunate
and cherish freedom and what it means to be an American; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic-owned businesses are currently growing at
three times the rate of the national average; and
WHEREAS, Throughout our history, Hispanic Americans have
shown their devotion to our country in their military service;
and
WHEREAS, Citizens of Hispanic descent have fought in every
war since our founding and have taken their rightful place as
heroes in our nation's history; and
WHEREAS, Today, Americans of Hispanic descent are serving in
our Armed Forces with courage and honor, and their efforts are
helping make America more secure and bringing freedom to people
around the world; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month was started in 1968 by
President Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded to
one month by President Reagan on September 15, 1988; and
WHEREAS, The dates for Hispanic Heritage Month were chosen
because September 15th is the anniversary of independence for 5
Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras and Nicaragua. September 16th and 18th are the
celebrated independence days for Mexico and Chile respectively.
Finally, Columbus Day, or Dia de La Raza, also takes place
within the 30-day period on October 12th; and
WHEREAS, To honor the achievements of Hispanic Americans, the
Congress, by Public Law 100-402, has authorized and requested
the President to issue annually a proclamation designating
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September 15 through October 15 as "National Hispanic Heritage
Month"; and
WHEREAS, The month of September 15 through October 15, 2009,
has been proclaimed "Hispanic Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania
and is intended to encourage all citizens to celebrate the value
of our diversity and the rich culture which makes our
Commonwealth and our nation so extraordinary; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate observe September 15 through
October 15, 2009, as "Hispanic Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.
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