RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing September 16th as Mexican Independence Day and honoring the accomplishments of Mexican leaders across Cook County
Body
WHEREAS, Mexican Independence Day, known as El Grito, was celebrated this year on September 16, 2019. This year marks the 209th anniversary of Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spain; and
WHEREAS, Father Miguel Hidalgo, a priest and leader, in his famous speech of September 16, 1810, known as "EI Grito de Dolores" or the "Cry of Dolores," urged his parishioners to join him in his fight for justice and racial equality, marking the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s staff and commissioners joined the Mexican Independence Day Parade on 26th Street in the Little Village community, held on September 8th, 2019, celebrating the 50th year of the parade, featuring traditional Mexican dancing, music, floats, and thousands of spectators; and
WHEREAS, the culture, history, and wealth of Chicago, Cook County, and the United States has been shaped and enriched by the contributions of the Mexican community; and
WHEREAS, as of the 2010 Census, 1,244,762 residents of Cook County, including 778,862 residents of the City of Chicago, are of Hispanic or Latino origin; and
WHEREAS, Chicago is home to the largest Mexican community in the Midwest and is known as the “Mexico of the Midwest”. Chicago’s Little Village community is home to a thriving commercial area with more than 1,000 businesses. The two mile stretch on 26th Street has earned the nickname “the second Magnificent Mile”; and
WHEREAS, the Little Village 26th Street Area Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) is an organization that represents the interests of local businesses. Its mission is to promote and support the growth and success of businesses in Little Village, while providing jobs and leveraging the community’s unique cultural identity. The Chamber works closely with businesses and community leaders, government agencies, law enforcement, corporate partners, and elected officials to address issues that affect the community; and
WHEREAS, national leader Mario José Molina-Pasquel Henríquez is a Mexican chemist known for his role in the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole. In 1995, he was a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his contribution in the discovery of the effects of manmade compounds on the ozone layer, including chlorofluorocarbon gases. He became the first Mexican-born scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in Chemistry; and
WHEREAS, local leader Rico Martinez earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical-electrical engineering from FIME Mexico University and has over 25 years of experience in the field of wastewater and environmental services; and
WHEREAS, as the founder and CEO of his business, Mr. Martinez has designed more than six treatment facilities across the Midwest. In addition to leading the charge on wastewater treatment, Mr. Martinez is committed to hiring minorities and women, earning national recognition from Minority Business News Magazine USA in 2019; and
WHEREAS, local organizations such as the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) Latin@s Gaining Access to Networks for Advancement in Science (L@S GANAS) Program, focuses on building an essential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pipeline for first generation students of color; and
WHEREAS, L@S GANAS was created in 2016 with a Hispanic Serving Institution STEM grant from the U.S. Department of Education to ensure that Latino students in STEM succeed at UIC; and
WHEREAS, L@S GANAS seeks to increase the number of Latino professionals in the STEM field and provides professional development and research experience, with a focus on retention, graduation, internships, and job placement; 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 staff, do hereby recognize the cultural and historical significance of Mexican Independence Day; 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 and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the Little Village 26th Street Area Chamber of Commerce, Rico Martinez of Water Integrated Treatment Systems, and the University of Illinois L@S GANAS organization.
Dated: September 19, 2019