Hispanic Heritage Month
Local 1000 Latin@ Committee building a bridge between past and future

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Each year, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, but for our Local 1000 Latin@ Committee, recognizing our rich Latino heritage is part of their mission statement as they work to build a bridge between the past and the future of our brothers and sisters. 

“The historic achievements of Latino leaders past and present is a template for the work of our committee and reminds us that we have more work to do,” said Miguel Cordova, committee chair.

The committee is inspired by the sacrifices made by all Latinos who struggled and sacrificed to establish an identity, a sense of belonging for themselves and the communities where they live. 

“Then, and still, we aspire to create our identity, in our jobs, our homes and our communities. To achieve and earn a life in the middle class, to find our place in this land we call home,” said Cordova. 

To that end, our Latin@ Committee works to add to Hispanic Heritage by engaging members in three different areas: community, culture and politics.

Building on Pope Francis’ visit to California last year, we engaged the community in a series of conversations held at Local 1000 covering a range of topics that included immigration, the environment, and social and economic justice. 

We celebrate our cultural heritage in many ways. For the past five years, our committee participated in Sacramento’s celebration of Dia de Los Muertos by recognizing those who lost their lives in an effort to come to this country and build a better life.

Politically, the Latin@ committee has worked to pass immigration legislation in our state and nationally. We’ve hosted press conferences, worked in our communities to raise the profile of the issue and registered new voters. 

“We celebrate the heritage and the spirit of those who took up the fight before us as we work to create a better future for generations to come,” said Cordova.