Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month (2007)
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is blessed with a diverse and vibrant Latino/Hispanic population that contributes mightily to our economy, schools, and our legal and political systems; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Census, approximately 450,000 individuals of Latino/Hispanic origin live in the Commonwealth and this number is continuously growing, as this diverse community contributes an estimated amount of $500 billion a year into the U.S. economy and $6 billion in Virginia alone; and
WHEREAS, the Latino/Hispanic community makes significant contributions to the U.S. labor force as well as our state’s economy, representing an ever increasing share of workers and taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the solid growth in entrepreneurship within the Latino/Hispanic community, as there currently exist an estimated 1.6 million Latino/Hispanic owned businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2002 Survey of Business Owners; and
WHEREAS, I take enormous pride in the fact that amongst the fifty states with the highest number of Hispanic-owned businesses, Virginia now ranks tenth; and
WHEREAS, since 1968, by Joint Resolution of the United States Congress and by Presidential Proclamation, Latino/Hispanic heritage month has been celebrated throughout our nation in honor of the diversity of the Latino/Hispanic communities as well as the enormous impact they have made on American history and culture; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia proudly celebrates Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month, and I encourage all Virginians to take advantage of the many cultural opportunities available during this time, as well as to contribute to the civic life of their communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine, do hereby recognize September 15 through October 15, 2007, as LATINO/HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.