RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing Latino Heritage Month and honoring Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” García
Body
WHEREAS, Latino Heritage Month is a celebration of the innumerable contributions of people of Latino and Hispanic ancestry. During this month of acknowledgement, the traditions and culture of people with lineage from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America are honored; and
WHEREAS, national recognition began on September 17,1968, when Congress passed Public Law 90-498 as a Joint Resolution authorizing and requesting the office of the President to issue an annual proclamation to designate the week including September 15th and 16th as National Hispanic Heritage Week in honor of the extraordinary role of Hispanic Americans. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation, Proclamation 3869, the same day; and
WHEREAS, the dates of September 15th and 16th were chosen specifically to incorporate the independence day anniversaries for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, which are on September 15th, and the anniversary for Mexico, which is on September 16th; and
WHEREAS, on August 17,1988, Public Law 90-498 was amended by Public Law 100-402, proclaiming September 15th through October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month. The amendment became effective on January 1, 1989; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of National Hispanic Heritage Week to National Hispanic Heritage Month incorporated the Latin American countries of Chile and Belize, who celebrate their independence on September 18th and September 21st respectively; and
WHEREAS, the theme for the 2026 celebration of Latino Heritage Month is “Together we are More. Unidos, Somos Mas”; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) celebrates the vast contributions made by Latino residents in our communities and recognizes the hard work and dedication of our Latino employees; and
WHEREAS, in honor of Latino Heritage Month, the District will be hosting an event with Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” García to have a conversation on community, opportunity, and federal resources. Congressman García represents the Fourth Congressional District of Illinois, and is known as a coalition builder committed to empowering youth and expanding access to quality education, affordable housing, and economic opportunity. Congressman García was born in a small village in Durango, México, arriving in the United States with his family in 1965, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Before serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman García was a member of the Chicago City Council, the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and the Illinois Senate. He is currently a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus where he is Whip. He is also the founder of the Future of Transportation Caucus; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize Latino Heritage Month and honor Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” García; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Dated: September 17, 2026