Statement by Edward J. McElroy,
President, American Federation of Teachers,
On Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month begins today as five countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua—celebrate their independence on Sept. 15.  Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on Sept. 16, and Chile’s, on Sept. 18.

WASHINGTON, D.C – The late American labor leader Cesar Chavez said, "You are never strong enough that you don’t need help."  His words remind us of a nation made greater by the efforts of all its people and provide a fitting framework for the AFT's observance of Hispanic Heritage Month.

We are a United States rich in different languages, cultures and traditions.  We are stronger not in spite of diversity, but because of it.  In Hispanic Americans, we at the AFT see our brethren, our members and our leaders.  We see ourselves. 

Today, as we mark the beginning of a month-long celebration of Hispanic heritage, we are pleased to offer new resources to parents and classroom teachers to help them underscore the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the fiber of our country.  The materials, available in Spanish and English, can be viewed at www.aft.org/teachers/HHindex.htm and can be downloaded free of charge. 

We are also pleased to continue the expansion of our joint project with PBS affiliate WETA on the bilingual Web site www.colorincolorado.org.  The Colorín Colorado Web site helps parents and educators meet the challenges of teaching growing numbers of Hispanic English language learners (ELLs). The site has received more than 200,000 visitors since the launch of its “Educator” section in July 2005.  Beginning today, the site also includes a section with new resources on celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

Our union is not only committed to diversity, we embody it.  And so, during this special observance of Hispanic heritage, we are proud to pledge continued expansion of our work to support the nation's children and parents, and the AFT members who serve them.

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