Proclamation
Commemorating
The Lorenzo Ramirez Family
in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month 2025
WHEREAS, National Hispanic Heritage Month was first observed in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, and was later expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a thirty- day period where we celebrate and recognize the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. National Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us that America’s identity is a fabric of diverse traditions and societies woven together; and WHEREAS, the theme for 2025 is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future”; and WHEREAS, our country has drawn strength and insight from Hispanic writers, scientists, soldiers, doctors, entrepreneurs, academics and leaders in labor and government. Our culture has been enriched by the rhythms, art, food, literature, and creativity of Hispanic peoples; and WHEREAS, during National Hispanic Heritage Month we reaffirm that diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths where Hispanic Americans are the largest minority group in the United States today and largest ethnic group in California; and
WHEREAS, our Hispanic community has always been and continues to be deeply rooted in California’s history, identity, and success. From the state’s beginnings to the present day, generations of Hispanics helped build our state and shape our social, political, and economic landscape; and WHEREAS, Orange County forever became a part of the Hispanic influence and struggle as it set precedent in 1946 with the federal court case Mendez, et al. v. Westminster School District of Orange County, et al., where five Hispanic families, one being the Lorenzo Ramirez Family of El Modena, challenged their local public school districts to cease their discriminatory practices against the pupils of Mexican decent. The ninth circuit court of appeals upheld the ruling of the unconstitutionality of the forced segregation of Mexican American students into separate “Mexican schools”, hence paving the way for Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 which ended segregation in the Unites States; and
WHEREAS, this month we carry on the important work of honoring Hispanic heritage. Let us give thanks to the Lorenzo Ramirez Family from El Modena whose bravery helped shape this country and who continue to fight for equality and justice for all. Let us lift up the past, present, and future contributions of all Hispanics to our Nation’s great story.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dan Slater, Mayor of the City of Orange , and the entire City Council, do hereby recognize September 15-October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the achievements of Hispanic Americans.
DATED this 9th day of September 2025.
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