Item Number:       4a 
Meeting Date: September 14, 2021 

PROCLAMATION 
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latino communities were nationally recognized for their histories,
cultures, and influence when President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed  "National
Hispanic Heritage Week" on September 17, 1968; and 
WHEREAS, observance was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period
starting on September 15 and ending on October 15, on August 17, 1988, and on
September 14, 1989, President George H.W. Bush became the first president to
declare the 31-day period from September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic
Heritage Month; and 
WHEREAS, September 15 was chosen as the first day of observance because it coincides with
the Independence Day celebrations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras and Nicaragua. It also coincides with Mexico's independence on 
September 16 and Chile's on September 18 - all who declared their independence
from Spain in 1821 and Belize who declared their independence from Great
Britain on September 21, 1981; and 
WHEREAS, the theme for 2021's observance is "Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic
Heritage and Hope." The theme invites us to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and to
reflect on how great our tomorrow can be if we hold onto our resilience and hope.
It encourages us to reflect on all of the contributions Hispanics have made in the
past and will continue to make in the future. It is also a reminder that we are
stronger together; and 
WHEREAS, the term "Hispanic" generally refers to the way that Latin Americans are united
through their connection to Spain and their links to Spanish culture and tradition.
"Latino" is used to refer to the way that Latin Americans are connected to one
another via their common history and culture; and 
WHEREAS, in 1997, "Latino" officially appeared on government documents as an option
alongside "Hispanic." Since 1980 and 2000, "Hispanic" and "Latino" have also
become part of the U.S. Census, respectively; and

WHEREAS, according to 2020 US Census, Latinos remain the largest minority group in the
United States, and Latinos drove the country's demographic growth to 62.1
million, and Latinos accounted for 51.1 percent of the country's growth, rising to
18.7 percent of the U.S. population. That means the Hispanic population grew by
23 percent from 2010 to 2020; and 
WHEREAS, the employee Resource Group (ERG) Latinos Unidos at the Port of Seattle has
embraced the use of "Latino" to describe the unity of their culture, history and
their future. The  Office of Equity Diversity at the Port has also made an
intentional decision to use "Latino" in place of "Hispanic;" and 
WHEREAS, Latinos of all generations and recent immigrants continue to make great
contributions to our nation, our region, and our Port; and 
WHEREAS, the Port continues to take proactive steps to increase diversity at the Port of Seattle
amongst all diverse populations; and 
WHEREAS, once a year, all Port employees are asked to voluntarily self-identify their race.
According to current data, 5.7% of employees self-identify as Hispanic/Latino;
and 
WHEREAS, this data reflects that the Port has work to do to increase the representation of
Latino employees. The Port continues to review and revise policies and practices
through an equity lens, partnering with Workforce Development to build talent
pipelines, increasing recruitment and outreach efforts to Latino professionals in
the Communities we serve, and providing recognition, training and learning
activities to managers and employees about the importance of diversity, equity
and inclusion; and 
WHEREAS, representation matters. 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby recognizes September 15 -
October 15 as Latino Heritage Month at the Port of Seattle. 
Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this 14 day of September, 2021.



Port of Seattle Commission