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Recognizing and Honoring the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations (Concilio) on the Occasion of the 51st Annual Puerto Rican Festival Week and Parade in Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, The Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, Inc., known as Concilio, is the oldest Latino organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and under the leadership of Joanna Otero-Cruz, the organization remains dedicated to serving the economic, social, and political needs of the Latino Community; and
WHEREAS, Concilio was founded in 1962 by Puerto Rican Community leaders concerned with the economic, social and political issues facing the growing Puerto Rican and Latino Community of the City of Philadelphia. Beginning as a federation of social and fraternal organizations, Concilio grew in numbers over the years and evolved into a pillar of the Latino Community; and
WHEREAS, Concilio is widely known and appreciated for its founding of two historic Philadelphia events that convene the entire Puerto Rican and Latino Community every year. Concilio founded the Puerto Rican Festival in 1964 (Festival Puertorriqueno de Filadelfia), and the Hispanic Fiesta at Penn's Landing in 1981 which draws 30,000 people annually to Penn's Landing for a two day celebration of the Puerto Rican and Latino culture and heritage. These events include traditional art, music, dance, food, and games, and provide a unique opportunity for the Latino Community to honor and enjoy its rich and diverse culture. Concilio is also the host of countless other community events, forums, and service fairs which aim to serve the Latino Community, including the Seniors Luncheon which recognizes 350 seniors as the pillars of the Puerto Rican Community and demonstrates our appreciation for their contributions to our community; and
WHEREAS, The festivities of Puerto Rican Festival Week are kicked off each year by the raising of the Puerto Rican flag on the North side of City Hall in Dilworth Plaza. The annual Awards Gala ceremony has become one of the most anticipated social events among Puerto Ricans in the region, and gathers together the area's Puerto Rican leaders, government figures, corporate executives, media personalities and heads of community-based organizations. The Festival Week culminates with the Puerto Rican Day Parade (Parada Puertoriqueña). Philadelphia's Puerto Rican Day Parade is the Crown Jewel of the Puerto Rican Festival, creating an opportunity for the Puerto Rican Community to come together in cultural celebration with the entire City of Philadelphia. This colorful and dynamic festival promotes unity, economic development and education, while preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of the Puerto Rican people; and
WHEREAS, Concilio also is a leader in the community in providing services that support families in need and help them towards self-sufficiency. Concilio provides social service programming in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation and the Office of Housing and Urban Development, and is a lead member in the Eastern North Philadelphia Youth Services Coalition (ENPYSC), a coalition of Latino-based service providers that exists to bridge gaps and ensure coordinated services supporting youth in the Latino Community. Concilio offers a range of culturally-oriented services including adoptions, family foster care, parenting classes, summer youth programming, and housing counseling. Notably, Concilio has lead in the number of family reunifications among its clients; and
WHEREAS, For over half a century, Concilio has consistently remained steadfast in its core values and mission to serve and support the needs of the Latino Community, and to celebrate the Latino Community's contributions throughout the City of Philadelphia and beyond; and
WHEREAS, The 51st Annual Puerto Rican Festival Week will begin on September 23rd with the raising of the Puerto Rican flag at City Hall, will include a Mass at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul on September 26th and culminate in the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday, September 29, 2013; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes and honors Concilio on the occasion of its 51st Annual Puerto Rican Festival Week and Parade, and its decades of service to the Puerto Rican community.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Concilio as a sincere expression of City Council's appreciation and gratitude.
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