August 02, 2023

REP. CORREA LEADS 60+ COLLEAGUES IN REINTRODUCING RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AUGUST CHICANO-CHICANA HERITAGE MONTH, HONORING MEXICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Today, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) led 60+ of his colleagues in the House in the reintroduction of the Chicano-Chicana Heritage Month Resolution, to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of Mexican Americans, who make up 61.4% of Hispanics in the United States. In Orange County, according to The Orange County Census Atlas, the largest share of the population is Hispanic/Latino—mostly Mexican at 49.1%, followed by White (non-Hispanic) at 29.1%.

“As a proud American of Mexican descent, I’ve seen up close and personal the Chicano fight for labor rights, education rights, and civil rights—and have proudly watched prominent Mexican Americans in Orange County and beyond contribute toward significant technological and scientific advancements to this country,” Rep. Correa said. “That’s why I’m so proud to lead with my colleagues in introducing the Chicano-Chicana Heritage Month resolution today—to ensure the lasting legacy of our community lives etched in history, with the honor and reverence it deserves.”

“Chicano-Chicana heritage is a rich part of Anaheim’s history,” Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken said. “Mexican Americans have been part of Anaheim from the start and make up one of the largest culturally unique groups in our diverse city today. We join with them and invite everyone to join us in celebrating with a series of events at our libraries and parks throughout August.”

“The people of Santa Ana are grateful for this Congressional recognition of the significant contributions of the Chicano/Chicana community and Mexican-Americans to the culture, economy and advancement of California and the United States,” Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “I am proud to be both Chicana and American, a descendant of Mexican immigrants and a native of Santa Ana, where as mayor I represent a city that is nearly 80 percent Hispanic and is the heart of Mexican and Chicano cultures in Orange County.”

Santa Ana is the heart of Orange County, we take pride in being the center of Orange County. Santa Ana has deep Chicano Roots and is home to the oldest Mexican restaurant in Orange County, Sarinanas Tamale Factory, located in Artesia Pilar,” Santa Ana Councilmember Jonathan Hernandez said. “My office, along with then Councilmember-Mendoza, had the honor of declaring August Chicano Heritage Month in 2021. In 2022, we introduced the Chicano Heritage Festival to residents at El Salvador Park. Thousands of residents were welcomed to a free concert by Joe Bataan. It truly was an incredible experience for families and I recognize how much your support of this historic month added to the event experience. I am thankful for Congressman Correa’s support of this historic recognition and for supporting the Chicano Heritage Festival. Thank you for working for the people.”

“As with so many in Anaheim, this recognition is meaningful to me as a Chicana and lifelong resident of this city,” said Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Natalie Rubalcava, who led the City Council’s recent recognition of Chicano Heritage Month. “As a fourth-generation Mexican American, I am proud to be part of a cultural legacy that has contributed so much to Anaheim. I look forward to joining with the community to uplift Mexican American voices and celebrate with purpose as we enjoy educational events across our city in August.”

BACKGROUND: The resolution would officially recognize the month of August as Chicano-Chicana Heritage Month, to promote the significant contributions of Mexican Americans in our history. The month will celebrate Mexican American heritage while simultaneously uplifting Mexican American voices and accomplishments.

Although the term Chicano was created to serve as a derogatory term for Mexican Americans, its meaning was shifted in the 1960’s during the Chicano Movement to reflect empowerment by the Mexican Americans community in the country. This resolution includes the work and accomplishments of prominent Chicanos throughout the history of the United States, including Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez’ role in the labor movement and Selena Quintanilla Pérez’ influence on American music. It also applauds cities that have established their own Chicano Heritage celebrations, including Santa Ana and Anaheim, California.

While Chicanos make up 12% of the population in the United States and 61% of Latinos, they continue to face disproportionate representation in both the private and public sector. At a time where prejudices against the Mexican American community are growing (as seen in the El Paso shooting in 2019), the rhetoric on Chicanos must be turned to the positive and the diverse contributions they continue to bring to our country and culture.

Led by Rep. Correa, co-sponsors of this resolution include Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Andrea Salinas (OR-6), Mark Takano (CA-41), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Norma Torres (CA-35), André Carson (IN-07), Chuy García (IL-04), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Troy Carter (LA-02), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Danny Davis (IL-07), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Katie Porter (CA-47), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Jason Crow (CO-6), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Jim Costa (CA-31), Scott Peters (CA-50), Ami Bera (CA-06), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Dan Kildee (MI-08), Adam Schiff (CA-30), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Darren Soto (FL-09), Judy Chu (CA-28), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13)

You can find the full text of the resolution HERE. 

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