Hispanic Community Recognition Month

"I am proud of the contributions and achievements of members of Alabama’s Hispanic community," Siegelman said. "It is an honor as governor to designate the month of November as a time to celebrate the contributions and rich culture of the Hispanic community."

Since 1990 the Hispanic community in Alabama has grown 207 percent. There are an estimated 15,166 families of Hispanic origin that represent more than 23 different countries. They include professionals, farmers, forestry workers, construction workers, fisherman and craftsmen.

Siegelman has worked to support Hispanic families in Alabama. The Alabama Development Economic and Community Affairs funds a school-to-career program for K-16 that provides training and internships to the Hispanic community. Siegelman has publicly supported the Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act in an effort to meet his goal of providing health insurance to all children by 2005. The Department of Education administers funds that provide bilingual education grants to local schools for supplemental services to migrants such as bilingual teacher or aide and emergency immigrant grants for support services to work with parents, housing and clothing.

Siegelman issued a copy of the proclamation in Spanish.

Several people played a key role in this effort, says Diego Gimenez, Hispanic/Latino coordinator for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

"Special thanks go to Gina Bailey McKell, executive director of the Governor’s Office on National and Community Service, and the Alabama Latin American Association for their efforts in recognizing the emerging role Hispanics play in our states’s cultural and economic life," says Gimenez, adding that "the Extension system is also very proud to be a part of these efforts."