Cryan, Ramos, Cruz-Perez, Schaer Bill to Permanently Designate Hispanic Heritage Month Passes Assembly

CRYAN/RAMOS/CRUZ-PEREZ/SCHAER BILL TO PERMANENTLY DESIGNATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH PASSES ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assembly members Joseph Cryan, Ruben J. Ramos, Jr., Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Gary S. Schaer sponsored to designate each October as "Hispanic Heritage Month" in New Jersey today unanimously passed the General Assembly.

"New Jersey's Hispanic and Hispanic-American communities deserve to be honored," said Cryan (D-Union).  "Their efforts and cultural impact have made enormous positive contributions to our state that need to be recognized."

The bill (AJR-76) would codify the period from September 15 to October 15 of each year in New Jersey as Hispanic Heritage Month, which coincides with the national observation of Hispanic Heritage.  Activities during the month would serve to commemorate the contributions Hispanic and Hispanic-American residents have made to the state and the nation.

The sponsors said they introduced legislation to create the permanent designation to avoid the chaos of scrambling to submit a bill each year to maintain the designation.  Similar laws have been enacted to designate commemorations that include Black History Month, Women's History Week, and Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.

"A permanently designated month to celebrate and remember our Hispanic heritage is long overdue," said Ramos (D-Hudson).  "Our contributions as soldiers, philosophers, statesmen, musicians, athletes, scientists - and above all as New Jerseyans - are deserving of annual recognition."

"The legacy of Hispanic contributions to New Jersey deserves to be recognized and honored," said Cruz-Perez (D-Camden).  "Our heritage and our efforts have done much to enhance the rich tapestry of New Jersey's history."

"It is important to recognize the richness of culture that New Jersey's Hispanic communities bring to the state," said Schaer (D-Passaic).  "Their contributions to our communities and our country deserve to be permanently commemorated."

The measure now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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