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WHEREAS, Pittsburgh's heritage as a destination for immigrants is well known, with generations of new settlers cascading into our region, enriching our culture and collective identities; and
WHEREAS, our City's Latino population is now seeing a dramatic increase; and
WHEREAS, Alberto Benzaquen, originally from Caracas, Venezuela, was struck by Pittsburgh's charm first as a young child and, with a driving belief in the City's economic potential, relocated here in 2012, today living in Point Breeze; and
WHEREAS, with a professional background in economics, an MBA in International Business, and experience in both the public and private sectors, he is focusing on economic development in the Pittsburgh region. On Flag Day, June 14, 2013, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen; and
WHEREAS, in addition to volunteering with the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Alberto serves as the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation, which interacts with local Latino organizations to promote culture and development in the region, and assists in coordinating the ยกHola Pittsburgh! initiative, which, with support from the Allegheny Conference, Pittsburgh Promise, Vibrant Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, works to attract Hispanic talent and skill to the area and integrate newly arrived Latino Pittsburghers into the broader community; and
WHEREAS, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Alberto and the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation have organized the first ever Latino Day at Kennywood Park, recognizing our growing Latino population and connecting them with Kennywood's tradition of hosting ethnic and cultural festivals at the historic amusement park; and
WHEREAS, Kennywood's First Annual Latino Day, scheduled for September 14 at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, will feature entertainment and performances coordinated by the Latin American Cultural Union, raffles and prizes for adults and children alike, and food from local vendors including:
Las Palmas, a family-owned Mexican carniceria, grocery, and taco stand, with locations in Beechview, Brookline, Oakland, and Washington, PA;
La Palapa, a gourmet Mexican cuisine and catering establishment operating out of the Strip District;
AJ's Inca Peruvian Restaurant, a Downtown, family-owned restaurant featuring typical Peruvian dishes;
Casa Rasta, a Beechview-based Mexican-Caribbean restaurant featuring the Veracruz region's Afro-Cuban culinary influences;
and Gaucho Parrilla Argentina, a Strip District-based Argentinian grill.
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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Alberto Benzaquen and congratulate the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation for sponsoring and organizing the First Annual Latino Day at Kennywood Park, to be held on September 14, 2013.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare September 14, 2013 to be First Annual Kennywood Latino Day in the City of Pittsburgh.