HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Governor Tom Corbett issued a proclamation recognizing September 15-October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Pennsylvania. On Sunday, the governor joined with members of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA) at the Pennsylvania Capitol to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month by meeting with hundreds of Latino-Hispanic community members and enjoying cultural dance, music, poetry, and cuisine.

"Throughout Pennsylvania and our nation, the Latino-Hispanic community has made important contributions in business, industry, government, education, the sciences, arts and faith," said Gov. Corbett. "During Hispanic Heritage month, we honor those contributions, celebrate our commonwealth's tremendous ethnic and cultural diversity, and remember the fact that we are all united as Americans who believe in the same set of principles and loyalty to the same constitution."

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the rich and diverse culture of the commonwealth's fastest growing minority group, Latino-Hispanics who represent approximately 9 percent of Pennsylvania's population, almost 1 million people. The theme of this year's month-long celebration is, "Hispanics: A legacy of history, a present of action, and a future of success."

"It was an honor to have the governor celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month on Sunday in the Capitol," said Eltgad Roces, Chair of GACLA.  "Governor Corbett and Mrs. Corbett have been active supporters of our Latino-Hispanics community and care about our community's future in the commonwealth."

The Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off celebration was sponsored by the GACLA and the Hispanic Heritage Month Inter-Agency Commission.

Media contact:
Valerie Caras, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116
María Montero, GACLA, 717-787-5825

Editor's Note:  The text of the governor's proclamation follows:       

PROCLAMATION

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

September 15- October 15, 2014

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania embraces the 2014 National Hispanic Heritage Month theme "Hispanics: A legacy of history, a present of action, and a future of success;" and

WHEREAS, the Latino-Hispanic community's values, deep and abiding faith, love for family, and strong work ethic - are America's values, and the contributions from this community have helped make our country great; and

WHEREAS, Latino-Hispanics bring together the rich traditions of communities with centuries-old roots in America.  Their diverse and vibrant culture includes elements originating in Spain, North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean; and

WHEREAS, Latino-Hispanics are the largest ethnic minority group in the country, the fastest growing minority community in the Commonwealth, and make valuable contributions to the Commonwealth through business, industry, government, education, the sciences, arts and faith; and

WHEREAS, Latino-Hispanics have served with honor and distinction in many conflicts since the Revolutionary War and have made enormous contributions to our diverse society by sharing their talents, attributes, and deep connection to their family values, culture, and tradition.

THEREFORE, I, Tom Corbett, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim September 15 – October 15, 2014 as HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH in Pennsylvania.  I join with all Americans in celebrating the many achievements of Latino-Hispanic Americans and recognizing their contributions to our nation.

TOM CORBETT
Governor

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor