EVERETT—The Snohomish County Council passed a resolution recognizing September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Snohomish County, unanimously, for the sixth consecutive year.
“It’s always great to be able to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Snohomish County,” said Council member Nate Nehring. “We look forward to this every year and we look forward to celebrating with all of you.”
At Wednesday’s council meeting, Minister Gerardo Guiza of the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, Luis Fernando Esteban, former Honorary Consul of Spain, and Snohomish County PUD Commissioner Dr. Julieta Altamirano-Crosby spoke on behalf of the resolution.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor where we come from. It is also a time to recognize what we are building together,” said Julieta Altamirano-Crosby Wednesday.
Altamirano-Crosby came to Washington from Guerrero, Mexico, carrying her language, culture, and her family’s values as well as their many dreams. Her story, she said, is only one among thousands.
“Across this county, Hispanic and Latino families are starting businesses, teaching children, making music and art, caring for neighbors, serving our communities, and helping shape the future of Snohomish County,” said Altamirano-Crosby. “Our heritage is not only something we remember. It is something we live—every day—in our language, our food, our music, our traditions, our work, our families, and the values we pass from one generation to the next.”
Gerardo Guiza followed the Vice President of the Snohomish County PUD Commission by stating that Hispanics contribute to agriculture, construction, education, science, technology, art, business, commerce, medicine, and leadership, every day.
“We are workers, entrepreneurs, professionals, public servants, and community leaders,” said Guiza. “Integration does not mean erasing our roots, it means adding a new sense of belonging, understanding, and respecting our institutions, learning English without giving up Spanish and participating actively in our schools, neighborhoods, and community organizations.”
Luis Fernando Esteben, former Honorary Consul of Spain, spoke next sharing that he “believes in Snohomish County,” adding though Spain and the U.S. have many differences he is pleased that they can reunited when it comes to their shared loved for the game of soccer.
“Thank you for inviting me. I believe in the future. I am retired now but my life is starting again,” said Esteben, reflecting on his 54-year journey since working for Iberia Airlines and visiting Everett, expressing enthusiasm for Snohomish County’s business potential.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Hispanics comprise 68 million or roughly 20% of the nation’s population of which an estimated 1.14 million persons of Latin descent living in Washington state. Approximately 100,000 Latinos call Snohomish County home.
Congress first established the National Hispanic Heritage Week on September 17 in 1968. Two decades later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the recognition to a full month. Then, a year later, President H.W. Bush proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Month and in 2020, President Donald J Trump set the dates to be September 15 to October 15.
September 15 is chosen as the start of Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the anniversary of the 1812 independence declarations of five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—and Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrating their independence on September 16, 18, and 21 respectively.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
