September 17, 2015, Introduced by Reps. Santana, Chang, Durhal, Kelly, Guerra, Kosowski, Geiss, Brunner, Cochran, Kivela, LaVoy, Robinson, Yanez, Sarah Roberts, Greig, Rendon, Dianda, Garcia, Pagan and Hughes and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
A bill to designate September 15 to October 15 of each year as
Hispanic heritage month.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. (1) The legislature recognizes all of the following:
(a) There has been a 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.
(b) The month of September 15 to October 15 represents the
anniversary of independence for Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) Time and again throughout our nation's history, Hispanic-
Americans have faithfully defended the principles of freedom and a
representative government.
(f) Eighteenth-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, founded in 1565, long before Jamestown, Virginia.
(g) Hispanic Heritage Week was approved by President Lyndon
Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to
cover a 30-day period from September 15 to October 15, and enacted
into law on August 17, 1988 as Public Law 100-402.
(h) This state is fortunate to count among its population a
large concentration of citizens of Spanish and Latin American
descent, including those who have lived in this state for
generations and those who are new to this state, who contribute to
our economy and society through their commitment to professions,
commerce, family, and the arts.
(i) During the month from September 15 to October 15, this
state's Hispanic-American community celebrates Hispanic Heritage
Month through a series of special programs featuring Hispanic
history, food, dance, and art.
(j) 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.
(2) The legislature declares that September 15 to October 15
of each year shall be known as "Hispanic Heritage Month".