IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing the fortieth anniversary of the Kansas City Fiesta Hispana event, to be held September 16, 2023, through September 18, 2023, at Barney Allis Plaza.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21395, September 11, 2023
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the origins of the Kansas City Fiesta Hispana can be traced back to a 1964 initiative to commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was later extended to a month-long celebration in 1980; and,
WHEREAS, in 1972, Hispanic federal employees in Kansas City, in collaboration with the Greater Kansas City Federal Executive Board, initiated annual activities to honor National Hispanic Heritage Week; and,
WHEREAS, the visionaries behind the Kansas City Fiesta Hispana, including Rebecca Jaramillo, Jose Gonzalez, Ninfa Garza, and others, recognized the importance of extending this celebration beyond the federal sector job sites, culminating in the organization of a parade from downtown Kansas City into downtown Armourdale, Kansas; and,
WHEREAS, in 1981, the idea was realized to showcase Fiesta Hispana as a vibrant and inclusive celebration of the diverse Latino cultures, including Mexican, Central and South American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Spanish in the U.S. Hispanic population; and,
WHEREAS, Fiesta Hispana was relocated to the heart of Kansas City's Mexican community along Southwest Boulevard in 1982 and 1983, and later was moved to Kansas City's newly constructed Barney Allis Plaza, a decision that enabled thousands of people to gather comfortably and celebrate Hispanic heritage; and,
WHEREAS, in 1984, the Greater Kansas City National Hispanic Heritage Committee (GKCNHHC) was incorporated, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of Hispanic heritage and culture; and,
WHEREAS, Fiesta Hispana has grown over the years to become the largest and most successful Hispanic fiesta event in the Midwest, attracting over 40,000 local and out-of-town visitors to downtown Kansas City each year; and,
WHEREAS, Fiesta Hispana will feature many activities, including fiesta booths, children's activities, educational exhibits, fine art displays, authentic Latino and non-Latino food vendors, and opportunities for employment, health services, as well as a partnership with LULAC National Educational Services Centers, Inc. (LNESC) to raise funds for local high school and college students; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby extends its best wishes for a successful Kansas City Fiesta Hispana event and congratulations for its decades of dedication in promoting the Hispanic heritage and culture, fostering inclusivity, and contributing to the cultural richness of our community.
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. 21395 of September 11, 2023, was duly passed on September 11, 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