Alaska committee hears testimony supporting bill to designate Hispanic Heritage Month

Representative Stephanie Kerrick, chair of the Alaska House State Affairs Committee, opened an introductory hearing and public testimony on Senate Bill 40 on May 6, which would establish Sept. 15–Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Alaska law.

Deirdre Goen, staff to Senator Grama Jackson, told the committee the statutory designation would “align[] with the federal observance of Hispanic Heritage Month,” and said the change would formally recognize “the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans” in Alaska.

Dora Wilson of Anchorage, who identified herself as an elected member of the Anchorage School Board, told the committee she supported the bill and described the local Hispanic community as diverse and active in education, health care, construction, fishing and small-business development. Cisco Mercado, calling in on his own behalf, said younger children need exposure to cultural heroes and that learning about Latino contributions earlier in school is important.

Representative Bob Holland asked why the dates span mid-September to mid-October; Goen explained that Sept. 15 is the independence day for several Latin American countries and that the committee was aligning state law with the federally recognized dates for Hispanic Heritage Month.

The committee closed public testimony, set an amendment deadline of Wednesday, May 7 at 5 p.m., and said it will take up the bill at its next meeting Thursday.

Why it matters: supporters told the panel the designation would encourage schools, community groups and public institutions to recognize and teach about Hispanic American traditions and contributions in Alaska.