Reps. Garcia, Santana, Rendon, Hughes, Bizon, Muxlow, Pagel, Goike, Inman, VerHeulen, Glenn, Afendoulis, Victory, Robinson, Yonker, Singh, Brett Roberts, Sheppard, Iden, Pscholka, Webber, Maturen, Crawford, Cox, McCready, Heise, Vaupel, Jenkins, Kelly, Bumstead, Cole, Callton, Price, Jacobsen, Johnson, Outman, Lyons, Kivela, Schor, Moss, Brinks, Hovey-Wright, LaVoy, Love, Wittenberg, Neeley, Derek Miller, Gay-Dagnogo, Geiss, Plawecki, Zemke, Guerra, Yanez, Dianda, Irwin, Chirkun, Garrett, Durhal, Faris, Hoadley and Somerville offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 148.

            A resolution to declare September 15-October 15, 2015, as Hispanic Heritage Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the long and important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans in North America, starting with the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus on October 12, 1492; and

            Whereas, This month represents the anniversary of independence for Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua; and

            Whereas, Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America; and

            Whereas, Each year, the United States recognizes the economic, cultural, and social contributions that Spanish-speaking peoples have brought to our nation including the gifts of law, religion, agriculture, art, music, education, technology, architecture, cuisine, theater, and exploration; and

            Whereas, Time and again throughout our nation’s history, Hispanic-Americans have faithfully defended the principles of freedom and a representative government; and

            Whereas, 18th-century North America had a Hispanic presence, from the small outpost of San Francisco founded in the desolate wilderness of Alta California in 1776,  through the Spanish province of Texas with its vaqueros (cowboys), to the fortress of St. Augustine, Florida, the first continuous European settlement in North America which was founded in 1565, long before Jamestown, Virginia; and

            Whereas, Hispanic Heritage Week was approved by president Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period (September 15 - October 15), and enacted into law on August 17, 1988 as Public Law 100-402; and

            Whereas, Michigan is fortunate to count among its population a large concentration of citizens of Spanish and Latin American descent, including those who have lived in Michigan for generations and those who are new to the Great Lakes State, who contribute to Michigan’s economy and society through their commitment to professions, commerce, family, and the arts; and

            Whereas, During the month spanning from September 15 through October 15, Michigan’s Hispanic-American community will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through a series of special programs featuring Hispanic history, food, dance, and art; and

            Whereas, September 15 is starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, when they all declared independence in 1821; and

            Whereas, Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21, respectively; and

            Whereas, National Hispanic Heritage Month is the period of time in the United States, when people recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate these people’s varied heritage, background, and culture; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 15-October 15, 2015, as Hispanic Heritage Month in the state of Michigan. This month coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month. We encourage all citizens to recognize and applaud the many contributions made by these individuals to enhance the quality of life in this state; and be it further

            Resolved, That we encourage all sectors in our state to honor and commemorate the above-listed historical events of liberation in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, as part of the celebrating and recognizing of the history, cultures, and contributions  of Hispanics in the U.S. and its territories; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to appropriate officials of high standing in the state and to representatives of the Hispanic community as enduring testimony of the high esteem in which the ancestors and descendants of Hispanics are held by the Michigan Legislature.