To: STATE EDITORS

Contact: Norman Bristol Colon of PA Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, +1-717-783-3877

Dedicates Event to the Contributions of the Venezuelan Community

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs and the Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania Inc. hosted the 5th Annual Latino-American Identity Reaffirmation Day on Wednesday. The event was dedicated to the contributions of the Venezuelan community to Pennsylvania.

"I am proud to serve in an administration that recognizes our strength in diversity," said Norman Bristol Colon, executive director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, or GACLA. "This celebration embraces the spirit of common purpose in the pursuit of common progress as residents of this great commonwealth."

"Latinos are the youngest segment of our society. It is vital to begin looking at Latinos as part of the fabric of America. We are stronger when we treat all of our members with dignity and respect; acknowledge the role they have played in shaping the future; and provide them the tools to develop their fullest potential," said Bristol Colon.

The Ensemble of Music of Casa de Venezuela, a Philadelphia-based organization of Venezuelan professionals, provided entertainment during the event.

"I stand before you today with a great sense of pride and responsibility as we work hard to ensure that Venezuelans and Latinos in Pennsylvania prosper, get involved and contribute to the commonwealth and the world," said Emilio Buitrago, president of Casa de Venezuela Delaware Valley.

City of Lancaster Councilman Jose Urdaneta served as keynote speaker, eloquently describing his strong roots to his native New York, the land of his parents' Venezuela, and his beloved home of Lancaster County.

With this celebration, GACLA concludes all official statewide celebrations commemorating National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year.

TheGovernor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, or GACLA, is the commonwealth's governmental agency responsible for addressing issues impacting Pennsylvania's Latino population before the executive and legislative branches of government. Since its inception in 1971, GACLA's mission has been to ensure that the Latino community is afforded the opportunity to continue to prosper in Pennsylvania.

CONTACT:

Norman Bristol Colon

(717) 783-3877

SOURCE Pennsylvania Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs

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