Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing September 15, 2021 through October 15, 2021 as Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate and honor the invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States. The commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon B. Johnson. President Ronald Reagan subsequently expanded the celebration in 1988 to cover a 30-day period.
“The traditions and culture of Colorado’s Hispanic community are deeply woven into the fabric of our state and are an integral part of our history,” said Bennet. “This month is an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous contributions of Hispanic Americans as we work to uplift Hispanic communities in Colorado and across the country.”
“America wouldn’t be America without Latino culture and contributions to our history. Nowhere is that more true than right here in Colorado,” said Hickenlooper. “Let’s celebrate all the Hispanic icons and heroes who have come before us, and those who keep moving the ball forward and making this country better each day.”
The Senate resolution recognizes the immense contributions of the Hispanic community to the economy, culture, and identity of the United States. This point has never been more salient than during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as Hispanic Americans kept our country afloat by working essential, front-line jobs and continue to play an even more critical role as the nation recovers from the ongoing impacts of this unprecedented health crisis.
Hispanic Americans are the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the U.S., representing more than 62 million people (18.7% of the U.S. population), plus another 3.2 million in Puerto Rico. Fifteen states, including Colorado, have nearly one million or more Hispanic residents.
The text of the resolution is available HERE.