National Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, the City of Fairfax City Council formally acknowledges National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) by presenting a mayoral proclamation to the Fiesta Fairfax Committee.
The proclamation recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of the Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx community, noting the significance of September 15 as the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, and tracing the observance to its origins as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, expanded to a 30-day period by President Ronald Reagan and enacted into law on August 17, 1988 (Public Law 100-402). Proclamations have been presented for 2024 (September 24, 2024), 2025 (September 30, 2025), and 2026 (September 22, 2026), all by Mayor Catherine S. Reed.
The proclamations are closely tied to the annual Fiesta Fairfax event held in Old Town Square, which featured cultural performances, music, food, and educational exhibits; in 2024 this was described as the second annual event (held October 5), in 2025 the third annual (held October 4), and in 2026 it was scheduled for October 3–4.
What members have said
- Mayor Catherine S. Reed
Mayor Reed personally presented all three proclamations (2024, 2025, and 2026), reading the full proclamation text each year and encouraging the community to celebrate the month and recognize Hispanic and Latino contributions to the city. In 2026, her closing language was notably expanded to encourage the community to 'embrace and celebrate our Hispanic and Latino neighbors, visitors, and businesses, and all they add to our quality of life.'
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Sep 24, 2024 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Sep 24, 2024City Council · item 4aProclamation acknowledging National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15, 2024)
Mayor Read presented a proclamation acknowledging September 15 – October 15, 2024 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Fairfax to the Fiesta Fairfax Committee.
- Sep 30, 2025City Council · item 3aProclamation: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Proclamation presented to the Fiesta Fairfax Committee acknowledging September 15 – October 15, 2025 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Fairfax.
- Sep 22, 2026City Council · item 3aProclamation – National Hispanic Heritage Month
A proclamation was presented acknowledging September 15 – October 15, 2026 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Fairfax.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.