Hispanics, this is your month
The highest proportion of Hispanic residents in the nation is in New Mexico. Our population is about 44 percent Hispanic. When Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off today, it won't go unrecognized in this state.
The city and more than 30 other Hispanic serving organizations have collaborated for the second year on more than 60 events to honor state and national Hispanic culture. The alliance is an effort to continue to make Hispanic Heritage month more valuable to residents, said Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez recently during a kickoff event for the group effort.
University of New Mexico Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Eliseo Torres, also is part of the effort. Hopefully his role will be to do more than just lip service to Hispanics. UNM has been often criticized for its failure to hire and retain Hispanic faculty. UNM's student population is comprised of about 30 percent Hispanics.
And as my colleague at the New Mexico Independent blogged earlier, the Hispanic vote is highly coveted by both presidential candidates in '08 as it was in '04.
Here are some Hispanic facts and figures:
Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States, representing approximately 16% of the U.S. population.
There are approximately 44 million Hispanics living in the U.S. today.
The highest proportion of Hispanic residents in the nation is in the state of
New Mexico, whose population is approximately 44 % Hispanic.
Hispanics also comprise approximately 44% of the City of Albuquerque.
Hispanics in New Mexico are also relatively young, as the median age for
Hispanics in New Mexico is 28 compared to 35 for non-Hispanics.
New Mexico has the greatest Hispanic representation in state
government -about 40 percent of New Mexico’s state legislators are Hispanic.
The observation of Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
The day of Sept. 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for 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. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is Oct. 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Be the first to comment