Honoring Your Roots: Messages of Inspiration

By: Ashmar Mandou

From making history to running multi-million dollar companies, Lawndale Bilingual Newspaper asked prominent figures who have influenced or have been influenced by the Latino community to share what Hispanic Heritage Month signifies for them and what we could learn from each other. Individuals such as, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz, First Deputy Director Maria Guerra and Honorable Jesse G. Reyes are just a few individuals who exemplify the meaning of staying true to your roots while pursuing greater levels of success. We hope their message inspires you to take strides in your daily life.

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel

“Chicago’s vibrant Hispanic community has had a profound and positive influence on our city. Each day, Hispanic Chicagoans make valuable contributions and impacts on our city, and from Pilsen to Humboldt Park from Little Village to Lawndale, their influence is felt in our schools and neighborhoods, in our workplaces and cultural institutions. I hope all Chicagoans join me in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the powerful impact these Chicagoans have on our lives.”
– Mayor Rahm Emanuel

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Jesse Ruiz

“It signifies a collective acknowledgement of the contributions of Hispanic-Americans, throughout history and continuing on today and tomorrow. It is a great country that is made up of a great patchwork of a lot of different people who immigrated to this country. So during this month we celebrate that collective and celebrate the contributions and acknowledge the hard work that goes into building a great nation.”
– Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz

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Miguel Alba

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to examine and reflect on the great strides made by our community, as well as reflecting on the work that has yet to be done. Hispanics have created significant socio-economic ties across the Chicagoland area that makes this our home. And, as we are seeing today, our culture is becoming an inseparable part of the mainstream.”
– Miguel Alba, Community and Government Affairs for Jewel-Osco and Cub Foods

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Local News

Eduardo Arnal

“Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a great reminder of the achievements our community has made so far and how much we have left to accomplish. It is a time in which we can learn from each other and really celebrate who we are.”
– President of the Consulate of Mexico Chicago Eduardo Arnal

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Maria Guerra

“For me, personally, it is a chance to celebrate my culture. I am very proud of where I have come from and as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month it is up to us to make it meaningful really and reflect on what this month signifies.”
– First Deputy Director Maria Guerra

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Jessey G. Reyes

“We are all part of this country. Hispanics contribute to this society and we have to remember that we all have our own cultural heritages. And we should cherish that and welcome participation in that. There are a variety of different heritage months throughout the year and I think it is great for us to all participate in that. And to realize we all bring something to the table.”
– Honorable Jesse G. Reyes, Circuit Judge, Chancery Division

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Local News

Charles Romaker

“This is significant month in that Latinos are now, I think, going to be a very vocal and large group. Hispanic Heritage Month means not forgetting where you come from and working harder to get to the higher level of where you are at. And it is a continuation of the dream to be able to have the best of both worlds.”
– President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois Charles P. Romaker

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