Portman Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) celebrated the economic and cultural impact Hispanics have made on American and Ohio history.

“I am honored to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Hispanic Americans living in Ohio,” said Portman. “Hispanics have played an important role in the building of our country and many of their customs and traditions have helped shape the American way of life.”

September 15th was chosen as the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month because it is the independence day of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16th, September 18th, and September 21st, respectively. The recognition was originally approved by President Lyndon Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and was extended to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Senator Portman, through his years of public service, has relied on the advice of his Hispanic constituents as he works to create an environment conducive to job growth and economic recovery in Ohio. Portman recently attended a Naturalization Ceremony in Cincinnati to welcome and congratulate 93 participants, many of which were of Hispanic origin, on becoming citizens of the United States.