Rep. Ramos sponsors bipartisan resolution to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month
COLUMBUS— State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) announced today that he and Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) have introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month in Ohio. The designated month will fall from September 15 to October 15, 2015.
“Throughout the decades, Americans of Hispanic descent have proudly defended our country in wars and enriched the lives of all Ohioans through contributions to such fields as business, technology, science, education, religion, entertainment, politics, and the arts,” said Ramos, who is of Puerto-Rican descent. “In light of these various contributions to our society, I am proud to formally recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month here in Ohio.”
National Hispanic Heritage Month was originally founded as National Hispanic Heritage Week. It was enacted in 1968 by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, to recognize the contributions of people of Latino/Latina origins to the United States, and to celebrate the many cultures of Latinos as part of the shared American experience. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded National Hispanic Heritage Week to a month long celebration.
Ohio’s Hispanic population has tripled since 1980, with Hispanics currently representing 3.5 percent of the state’s population. Ohio ranks 23rd in the nation overall in total Hispanic population.