Commissioners recognize achievements of Hispanic Americans and their contributions
During its Oct. 23 meeting, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners declared Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Hillsborough County. Marilyn Alvarez, Hispanic Liaison for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Hispanic community, and thanked the Board for their unwavering support to the community.
"[The Commissioners], throughout the year, meet with our Hispanic leaders one-on-one to discuss any type of issues and show their interest, to know that they're here for our community. And we definitely look forward to continuing these one-on-one meetings in the future," she said.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 62 million Hispanic Americans live in the United States, the nation's largest minority group. Approximately 6 million Hispanic Americans live in Florida, and over 460,000 live in Hillsborough County, which is over 30 percent of the county's population. Their dynamic, multifaceted legacy helps strengthen the county's economy, educational opportunities, cultural growth, and diversity. Since 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month has been recognized across the nation for 30 days every year.
The Board also presented the Youth Excellence and Achievement (YEA!) Awards to six middle and high school students for their acts of leadership, volunteerism, and success despite difficult odds.
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