Happy Mexican Independence Day!

It's September 16: Today's the day Mexico celebrates its independence!

And we've talked a lot about the fast-growing Mexican and general Latino populations, but did you know that Latinos have lived in Washington state since the 1770's?

The below history comes to us from the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, via El Mundo newspaper.

In Washington State, the familiar names of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and Rosario Strait are a legacy of Spanish influence in the state. But what is missing is the Latino (Latin American v. Spanish) imprint. The Spanish influence is a Latino legacy, more importantly a Mexican legacy that began in the 1770s.

Two Mexicans in particular contributed greatly to early knowledge of Washington state. José Mariano Moziño participated in the 1792 expedition, known as the Malaspian Expedition. He produced an ecological catalog of 200 species of plants, animals, and birds. He documented his research in Noticias de Nuka: An Account of Nootka Sound in 1792. Also a member of the Malaspian Expedition, Anastasio Echeverría was considered the best artist in Mexico at the time. Echeverría sketched one of the first detailed landscape profiles of the area.

From Mexican mule packers in the 1770’s to the farmers of today, the Latino influence in Washington state is not a new phenomenon, but a tangible aspect of the society. Yakima Valley, Pasco, Burien, or Mt. Vernon will notice an undeniable Latino influence. In the Yakima Valley alone, from Wapato to Prosser, Latinos make up the majority of the population. Yakima County as a whole has a population of 231,586, of which 38.6%, or more than 89,000 persons, are of Hispanic or Latino origin.


So...when you hear talk about how we "suddenly" have so many Hispanics in our state, you may want to explain that the migration to Washington actually started in the late 1700's. And when you hear another myth, that Hispanic immigration is the cause of the population explosion, you can explain that population growth is due more to U.S. births than to immigration--even before the recession.

Que tengas un bonito día.

Please attend public hearing on ethnic commissions in WA

Here's your opportunity to have a voice on SB 5589: the future of the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs and other ethnic commissions in our state.

WHAT? Public Hearing, Government Operations & Elections
WHEN? Tomorrow! Tuesday, January 27 1:30pm
WHERE? Senate Hearing Rm 2, J.A. Cherberg Building, Olympia, WA

I talked to my colleague Ty Cordova, who's been very involved over the years. He explained it to me this way:

What the bill is proposing is for all ethnic commissions to be dissolved and an over-arching Minority Affairs Department be established. While a considerable cost saving measure is realized, it would significantly reduce access to all communities of color currently served.

PASS THIS ALONG: If you or others can attend the hearing it would bode well for all of our commissions in the state.

And if you cannot attend: I encourage you to CALL and voice your position!
Call the below phone numbers and tell committee staff that you are against SB 5589:

Sharon Swanson
Coordinator/Counsel
JAC 425
(360) 786-7447

Aaron Gutierrez
Counsel
JAC 412
(360) 786-7448

Edward Redmond
Research Analyst
JAC 413
(360) 786-7471

Catherine Nicolai
Committee Assistant
JAC 435
(360) 786-7430

Dana Sondergaard
Committee Clerk
JAC 432
(360) 786-7736

March 13 - Hispanic/Latino Legislative Day in Olympia

From Uriel Iniguez at the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs:

Register now to participate in the 2009 Hispanic/Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol

Join community leaders and advocates in presenting a united voice in support of issues that affect the Latino community for the 2009 Legislative Session.

WHEN? March 13, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE? Washington State Capitol Rotunda, 416 Sid Snyder Avenue SW, Olympia, WA 985045

The event will also feature tours of the state Capitol, community agency exhibits, and entertainment.

For more information about the organization, click here.