Mike Levin: “each year between September 15 and October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This tradition began in 1968 when…”

“each year between September 15 and October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This tradition began in 1968 when Congress set aside a week to celebrate Hispanic culture, achievements, and contributions to American culture and society. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month-long commemoration. Gil Coronado, founder and chairman of Heroes and Heritage: Saluting a Legacy of Hispanic Patriotism and Pride, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month. Mr. Coronado enlisted with the Air Force when he was just 16. He served for 30 years in Vietnam, Panama, Germany, and Spain before he retired as a colonel. During his stellar career, he received over 35 awards, including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. Like Colonel Coronado, countless numbers of Hispanic Americans have answered the call, defending our liberty and freedoms as members of our Armed Forces and in other capacities. Twelve Hispanic Americans were among the firefighters killed on September 11 as they tried to rescue their fellow Americans trapped in the World Trade Center's two towers. Hispanic contributions to America date back nearly 500 years to Easter, March 27, 1513 when Juan Ponce de Leon sighted land, which he claimed for Spain and named ``La Florida,'' meaning ``Land of Flowers.''”