State Rep. Dan Ramos, Ohio House, Recognize Hispanic Heritage Month

This week, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month in Ohio between the dates of September 15^th through October 15^th, 2014.

“It gives me great pride to recognize the countless contributions Hispanic women and men have made to our country throughout the years,” said Rep. Ramos. “From technology and business, to education and entertainment, Hispanics have enriched the lives of people in all parts of our state and on all corners of the globe. It is an honor to join my colleagues and all Ohioans in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month.”

Originally, National Hispanic Heritage Month was founded as National Hispanic Heritage Week. It was enacted in 1968 by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, to recognize the contributions of people of Latino/Latina origins to the United States, and celebrate the many cultures of Latinos as part of our shared American experience. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded National Hispanic Heritage Week to a month long celebration.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Ohio’s Hispanic population has grown by 22.4 percent since 2000. The Hispanic population in Ohio ranks 23^rd in the nation, and currently there are 166,000 Hispanic eligible voters in Ohio – the 19^th largest Hispanic eligible voter population nationally.

Representative Dan Ramos is the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to serve in the Ohio House of Representatives.