PRINTER'S NO. 3809
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
987
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY ACOSTA, MILLARD, CALTAGIRONE, HENNESSEY,
YOUNGBLOOD, SAYLOR, DiGIROLAMO, GODSHALL, DAVIS, SCHLOSSBERG,
ROZZI, COOK-ARTIS, PASHINSKI, VEREB, KIRKLAND, DONATUCCI,
QUIGLEY, STURLA, W. KELLER, BURNS, GINGRICH, READSHAW,
WATSON, MATZIE, MARSICO, MAHONEY, DERMODY, MURT, M. DALEY,
ROSS, BULLOCK, MAJOR AND D. COSTA, SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing September 15 through October 15, 2016, as "National
Hispanic Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania and honoring Diego
Castellanos in conjunction with this observance.
WHEREAS, "National Hispanic Heritage Month" further
commemorates the cultural diversity among Hispanic Americans,
who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central
America and South America; and
WHEREAS, "Hispanic Heritage Month" originated in 1968 when
President Lyndon Johnson first proclaimed "National Hispanic
Heritage Week"; and
WHEREAS, To honor the achievements of Hispanic Americans, the
Congress of the United States authorized and requested by Public
Law 100-402 that the President annually issue a proclamation
designating September 15 through October 15 as "National
Hispanic Heritage Month"; and
WHEREAS, As a nation, we celebrate our growing Hispanic
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population and pay tribute to notable Hispanic Americans during
this period; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic Americans now comprise the largest and
fastest-growing minority ethnic group in the United States, with
more than 50 million people of Hispanic or Latino origin; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth draws its strength from the
extraordinary diversity of its people and their cultural
customs; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is one of 16 states with nearly a
half-million Hispanic residents; and
WHEREAS, Throughout our history, Hispanic Americans have
enriched the cultural diversity of this Commonwealth through
business, politics, education, sports and the arts; and
WHEREAS, Diego Castellanos is one of the best-known Hispanics
in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Castellanos is the host of a television show
"Puerto Rican Panorama," airing weekly since 1970, which
addresses Hispanic issues and Latin culture; and
WHEREAS, He is the first Hispanic and the only Puerto Rican
in the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, There are approximately 1.2 million Hispanics or
Latinos who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Castellanos joins that esteemed group, having
served in the New Jersey Army National Guard, rising to the rank
of Sergeant First Class, and later graduating from the New
Jersey Military Academy, becoming an infantry commissioned
officer; and
WHEREAS, He worked for the New Jersey Department of Education
and drafted the bilingual education mandate, guiding the mandate
through the legislative process; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Castellanos managed the Office for Civil Rights
in the New Jersey Department of Education and was responsible
for school desegregation, including gender equity, affirmative
action, equal access for the handicapped and national origin
concerns in the educational process; and
WHEREAS, He served as chairman of a national advisory board
for the Children's Television Workshop and was responsible for
the show's bilingual format; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Castellanos has written or coauthored four
books, with The Best of Two Worlds: Bilingual-Bicultural
Education in the U.S. used by many colleges and universities in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives proudly notes our
Commonwealth's rich multicultural heritage; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
September 15 through October 15, 2016, as "National Hispanic
Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania and honor Diego Castellanos in
conjunction with this observance.
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