IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION congratulating the Kansas City Hispanic News on the occasion of its 27th Anniversary.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21418, October 9, 2023
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, Jalen Anderson, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, and Sean E. Smith, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, the Kansas City Hispanic News is celebrating its 27th Anniversary of serving Jackson County, working to bridge the gap between the Latino community and the broader public, offering representation in a mainstream paper; and,
WHEREAS, founded and nurtured by the dedicated efforts of Jose "Joe" Arce, the Kansas City Hispanic News has stood as a beacon of journalistic excellence, providing vital bilingual news coverage to the Greater Kansas City community; and,
WHEREAS, nestled along Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City's Westside neighborhood, a community steeped in Latino and Mexican American heritage, the Kansas City Hispanic News first opened its doors in 1996, growing to expand its coverage beyond state lines into Kansas, illuminating the impact on Latino households across the region; and,
WHEREAS, Joe Arce, born and raised in Kansas City's Westside, has always felt deeply connected to his Mexican roots and Latino heritage, and, after years as a photojournalist and reporter for WDAF-TV Fox 4 News, recognized the need for a platform that could inform and celebrate the accomplishments of the Latino community, leading him to establish the bilingual newspaper; and,
WHEREAS, through the Kansas City Hispanic News, Joe Arce has not only provided a platform for representation but also empowered local business owners with advertising opportunities, enabling the Latino community to flourish and thrive; and,
WHEREAS, Joe Arce's impact extends far beyond the pages of the newspaper, as he has actively served on boards for organizations such as the Guadalupe Centers and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, and played a pivotal role in the renaming of 23rd Street in the Westside Neighborhood to Avenida Cesar Chavez, in honor of activist Cesar Chavez, in 1993; and,
WHEREAS, to enrich celebrations of Latino and Mexican American traditions, Joe Arce played a significant role in expanding Fiesta Hispana KC, an annual festival that commemorates Mexico's Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month, providing a space for cultural exchange through music, food, dance, and local businesses; and,
WHEREAS, Joe Arce's commitment to nurturing the next generation of journalists is evident in his mentorship and support of youth journalists, serving as chair of the Cesar E. Chavez Committee at the University of Central Missouri, and in the establishment of the Hispanic Media Association, providing scholarships for aspiring Latino journalists; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri that the Legislature hereby extends its deepest gratitude and warmest congratulations to Jose “Joe” Arce and the Kansas City Hispanic News for their extraordinary contributions to Jackson County.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21418 of October 9, 2023, was duly passed on October 9, 2023 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ______9_________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ___0______ Absent _____0_______
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature