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                                                                         News Feature                                                            10/06/2008

Hispanic Heritage Month

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the 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. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

Hispanic Heritage Month is an excellent opportunity for MN NRCS employees and conservation partners to learn more about the Hispanic culture in Minnesota. 

 A Hispanic Heritage Month activity will take place on October 8, 2008 beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the first floor of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)  State Office building, 375 Jackson Street, St. Paul, Minnesota.   This year’s speaker will be Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Director of the Rural Enterprise Center (former Latino Enterprise Center).  For more information regarding this project, check out their website at:  http://www.ruralec.com/ 

Omar Vega, GIS Specialist from the Brooklyn Center Area Office serves as the Hispanic Employment Program Manager for MN NRCS.    This program was established initially by a President Direction in 1970 as a Sixteen-Point Program for Spanish-Speaking Americans.  It was designed to assure consideration of the needs and problems of persons of Hispanic origin in all aspects of Federal personnel management.  Hispanics are persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culture or origin.  If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Omar at (763)-566-2941.

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