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4 <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation <br /> The Board considered approving a proclamation designating September 15-October 15, <br /> 2021 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> Hispanic Heritage Week began in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson. President Ronald <br /> Reagan extended Hispanic Heritage Week to 30 days in 1988. Hispanic Heritage Month starts <br /> on September 15, as that date is significant to several Latin American countries. Independence <br /> Day for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and <br /> Nicaragua is September 15. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days <br /> on September 16 and 18, respectively. Dia de la Raza, recognized throughout Spanish- <br /> speaking countries, celebrating Latin American heritage and cultural diversity occurs on <br /> October 12. <br /> In 1987, when Representative Esteban Torres of California proposed extending the week-long <br /> celebration to a month, he noted that supporters of the legislation "want the Amerian people to <br /> learn of our heritage. We want the public to know that we share a legacy with the rest of the <br /> country, a legacy that includes artists, writers, Olympic champions, and leaders in business, <br /> government, cinema, and science." Representative Torres' bill died in committee, but the <br /> Senate passed a similar bill, and President Ronald Reagan signed it into law. <br /> The 2021 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage <br /> and Hope." The theme invites everyone to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and reflect on <br /> how great tomorrow can be if we hold onto our resilience and hope. The theme encourages <br /> everyone to reflect on the Hispanic community's past and future contributions. <br /> Annette Moore, Human Rights and Relations Director, reviewed the background <br /> information for this item. She introduced Marlyn Valeiko, Language Access and Outreach <br /> Coordinator, who is well respected in the community. She said Marlyn Valeiko found out that <br /> there was a big need for masks in the Hispanic community and was instrumental in over 5,000 <br /> being distributed to community members. <br /> Marlyn Valeiko read the proclamation: <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION <br /> WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month heritage began as Hispanic Heritage Week, established <br /> by legislation sponsored by Rep. Edward Roybal of Los Angeles and was signed into law by <br /> President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968; and <br /> WHEREAS, in 1988, the commemorative week was expanded to a month — September 15 to <br /> October 15 — by legislation sponsored by Rep. Estaban Torres, amended by Sen. Paul Simon <br /> and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan; and <br /> WHEREAS, September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the commemoration because it <br /> is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores, early morning of 16 September 1810, which marked <br /> the start of the Mexican War of Independence and thus resulted in independence for the New <br />