Letter to the Editor:

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into Public Law (P.L. 100‑402) proclaiming September 15^th through October 15^th, of each year as Hispanic Heritage Month.  This proclamation commemorates the contributions made by Latinos.

It is through hard work, and the bipartisan efforts of the caucus, that Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated annually at the Capitol since 1999.  Today, the Michigan Hispanic Legislative Caucus is known as the Michigan Hispanic Caucus and continues the tradition of celebrating Latino culture.

This year’s celebration will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at the State Capitol.  The day’s events will begin at 9 a.m. with a variety of activities that include an informative and exciting youth program at Lansing Community College. 

The Michigan Hispanic Caucus will host a culturally enriched luncheon on the Capitol lawn at noon.  In addition, an evening celebration will be held in Lansing at 5:00 p.m.  At the evening celebration, the Michigan Hispanic Caucus will recognize outstanding Hispanics throughout the State of Michigan in the areas of business/economic development, advocacy, education, lifetime achievement, the fine arts, and youth leadership.

The Michigan Hispanic Caucus invites you to submit a nomination for the recipients of these awards by filling out the attached form.  Nomination forms are due no later than Monday, September 17, 2007.  The award winners will be notified by Friday, September 21, 2007.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Vicky Potter at the Michigan Commission on Spanish Speaking Affairs at (517) 373‑8339, or Maleigh Jackson at Senator Valde Garcia’s Office at (517) 373-2420.  Forms are also available on line at: www.michigan.gov/cossa.

Michigan Hispanic Caucus

P.O. Box 10217

Lansing, MI  48901‑1002