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Governor Patrick marks Hispanic Heritage Month

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Gov. Deval Patrick has proclaimed Sept. 15, 2014 to Oct. 15, 2014 as the 26th annual Hispanic Heritage Month in Massachusetts. Throughout the month, the Governor, joined by leaders from the Patrick Administration, will be participating in events that highlight the social and civic contributions and rich heritage of Massachusetts’ Hispanic community. This year’s theme, Civic Reflection Promoting Diversity in Leadership will recognize the impact of the Hispanic community’s leadership and service to the Commonwealth.

“Since my Administration first took office, the Commonwealth has emerged as a leader in creating access and opportunities for people of color,” Patrick said. “We still have work to do. Membership in a community is about understanding the stake that each of us has, not just in our own dreams and struggles but in our neighbors’ as well. If we keep that sense of community alive, if we make it an integral part of the work we are doing in and between government and our citizens, I’m confident our best days are ahead.”

Patrick will present the official Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation at an event at the State House on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The Governor will be joined by David Morales, former Commissioner of healthcare policy and finance at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and now Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer at Steward Health Care; Joel Barrera, Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and Jaenyffe I. Santos, a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and previous Intern at the Governor’s Western Massachusetts Office. Prior to the remarks, there will be a display of Hispanic artists and musical expression, and an opportunity for networking to continue the advancement and collaboration in leadership roles.

“Governor Patrick has been a staunch ally of Hispanics in Massachusetts, and this event highlights our community and its contributions to the Commonwealth,” said Barrera, who is also founder and executive director of the Commonwealth Seminar, whose mission is to open the doors of state government to underrepresented groups.

Under Governor Patrick’s leadership, over one quarter of executive branch employees are people of color and over half are women. His advocacy has encouraged diverse and Hispanic leadership at all levels.

During his first month in office, Governor Patrick signed Executive Order 478 which reestablished the Commonwealth’s commitment to hiring a diverse workforce by promoting inclusion in hiring and board appointments, and providing enhanced access to state services and contracts for all Massachusetts residents. That executive order also outlined a specific process to implement the hiring of people with disabilities, resulting in the creation of the Disability Task Force to establish and implement best practices for recruiting, hiring and promoting persons with disabilities.

For further information on Hispanic Heritage Month in the Commonwealth, or Hispanic Heritage Month events hosted by the Patrick Administration, please contact the Governor’s Western Massachusetts Office in Springfield at 413-784-1200.