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Milwaukee Common Council honors Hispanic leaders during Hispanic Heritage Month
Summary
The Milwaukee Common Council held a Hispanic Heritage Month program during its Oct. 14 meeting, recognizing eight community leaders and speakers who emphasized representation and civic engagement for Milwaukee’s Latino community.
The Milwaukee Common Council paused its regular business on Oct. 14 to hold a Hispanic Heritage Month recognition during a committee-of-the-whole presentation, where alderpersons honored eight community leaders and speakers highlighted the importance of Latino representation in city government.
Council President Perez opened the segment by reflecting on the significance of Latino leadership in city government, saying, “I will always be proud of having been chosen as the first Latino to serve as the Milwaukee Common Council president.” Alderperson Jocasta Samaripa then introduced the honorees and framed the event as both celebration and call to civic action.
Alderperson Jocasta Samaripa said, “I am alderperson Jocasta Samaripa, the first Hispanic woman, Latina, to serve in the common council,” and urged attendees to advocate for Latino residents regardless of immigration status. Samaripa nominated several honorees and acknowledged colleagues who submitted nominations.
Honorees named during the program were Dan Maldonado; Tony Snell Rodriguez; Dr. Juan Baez; Brian Verdin; Jose Ramon Ramirez; Marcos Isidoro Gamboa; Susan Balba Martin; Patricia Ruiz Cantu; and Hezemil Arroyo Vega. The council cited the honorees’ work in areas such as youth empowerment, educational leadership, labor representation and small-business entrepreneurship. For example, the council noted that Dan Maldonado “currently serves as the co‑executive director of Leaders Igniting Transformation,” and that Dr. Juan Baez is principal at Milwaukee School of Languages (Milwaukee Public Schools).
The recognition included brief remarks about each honoree and a group photograph with council members before the meeting resumed. Alderperson Samaripa closed by encouraging continued nominations and indicated the council intends to hold the recognition annually.
The program occurred near the start of the regular council meeting and was followed by the council’s routine committee reports and roll-call votes.
