City Proclaims September 15-October 15, 2021 “National Hispanic Heritage Month”

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 22, 2021

“National Hispanic Heritage Month” honors the influence and impact of Hispanics in all spheres of society. Commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month gives us each an opportunity to take pride in these roots and to help promote the rich diversity that these cultures offer.

This year the City of Fernandina Beach proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15, 2021 at the September 21, 2021 City Commission meeting.  In a departure from past practice, the Proclamation was delivered in both English and Spanish.  Vice Mayor Len Kreger read portions in English as City Planner Daphne Forehand followed reading the same portions in Spanish:

WHEREAS, in the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. This time frame is observed because it coincides with several Latin American independence days commemorated during the same period, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile; and

CONSIDERADO QUE, en los Estados Unidos, el mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana se celebra del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre. Este período de tiempo se observa porque coincide con varios días de la independencia de América Latina conmemorados durante el mismo período, incluidos Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua , México y Chile; y

WHEREAS, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and honors the rich culture and innumerable contributions of Hispanics, whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America; and

CONSIDERADO QUE, el mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana celebra y honra la rica cultura y las innumerables contribuciones de los hispanos, cuyos antepasados vinieron de España, México, el Caribe y América Central y del Sur; y

WHEREAS, the Hispanic presence and influence within the City of Fernandina Beach dates back to the early 1500’s, and as such, their culture is indisputably an intrinsic part of the vibrant tapestry that makes Fernandina Beach a wonderful place to live, work, and visit; and

CONSIDERANDO QUE, la presencia e influencia hispana dentro de la ciudad de Fernandina Beach se remonta a principios del siglo XVI y, como tal, su cultura es indiscutiblemente una parte intrínseca del vibrante tapiz que hace de Fernandina Beach un lugar maravilloso para vivir, trabajar y visitar; y

WHEREAS, throughout the history of the United States, Hispanics have participated in support and defense of the principles and ideals upon which this great nation was founded. As the country’s fastest growing population, Hispanics continue to contribute to American culture; and

CONSIDERANDO QUE, a lo largo de la historia de los Estados Unidos, los hispanos han participado en el apoyo y defensa de los principios e ideales sobre los que se fundó esta gran nación. Como la población de más rápido crecimiento del país, los hispanos continúan contribuyendo a la cultura; y

WHEREAS, this commemorative month honors the influence and impact of Hispanics in all spheres of society and presents an opportunity to take in pride these roots and to help promote the robust diversity these cultures offer; and

CONSIDERANDO QUE, este mes conmemorativo honra la influencia y el impacto de los hispanos en todas las esferas de la sociedad y presenta una oportunidad para enorgullecernos de estas raíces y ayudar a promover la sólida diversidad que ofrecen estas culturas; y

WHEREAS, we, as a community and as a government, are proud of the cultural enrichment brought by the diversity of our dynamic Hispanic population.

CONSIDERANDO QUE, nosotros, como comunidad y como gobierno, estamos orgullosos de la riqueza cultural que han traído con su diversidad los inmigrantes hispanos.

Mr. Waldemar Borrero accepted the Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation.  Borrero, who descends from parents vorn in Puerto Rico, said that he has the advantage of having been born American while many Hispanics in the local community do not have that advantage of freedom.

He said that he works at Pepper’s on Mondays, where 10-15 different Hispanic cultures are represented in the workforce.  He spoke to the hardships that many Hispanics encounter here because of language difficulties and immigration status.

Vice Mayor Kreger acknowledged the undercount of Hispanics in the community.  He added that the City is working to improve its website so that those Spanish speakers can more easily access City departments and services.