Fort Worth AARP Volunteer Calls for Celebrating Multiculturalism During Hispanic Heritage Month

In Fort Worth, we take pride, or orgullo, in celebrating our history, family, community and culture year-round, but we especially amplify our pride during Hispanic Heritage Month.

As a City of Fort Worth Human Rights Commissioner and an AARP Texas volunteer, I make a point to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with my family and my community by participating in cultural education, honoring prominent Hispanic historical figures and, of course, dancing cumbias.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we are able to reflect on our shared history as Texans and celebrate the multiculturalism that helps our nation thrive.

This tradition began as a week-long event in 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued Presidential Proclamation 3869, recognizing Hispanic Heritage Week, which states in part:

Wishing to pay special tribute to the Hispanic tradition, and having in mind the fact that our five Central American neighbors celebrate their Independence Day on the fifteenth of September and the Republic of Mexico on the sixteenth, the Congress by House Joint Resolution 1299, has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the week including September 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week.

Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan continued President Johnson’s efforts by issuing proclamations that eventually transformed Hispanic Heritage Week into Hispanic Heritage Month; from September 15 to October 15. The presidential proclamations highlight the unique contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans, as well as honor the lives of early settlers.

Hispanic and Latin Americans have meaningfully contributed to the growth and vivacity of North America and continue to enrich the fabric of our American society.

So this month, let’s gather to celebrate this extraordinary culture.