Los Angeles City Councilmember Imelda Padilla led a special council presentation for Salvadoran American Heritage Day to recognize local leaders and community members “shaping the economic and social fabric” throughout LA.
Dozens attended the Jan. 31 presentation at Van Nuys City Hall. The event also commemorated the 19th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Los Angeles and San Salvador, the capital of the Central American nation. Padilla described the relationship as “a bond that has strengthened cultural exchange and collaboration between our two great cities.”
“Today we honor the leaders, advocates and professionals who continue to uplift and empower the Salvadoran community here in Los Angeles – from small business owners and educators to health care workers and community advocates,” said Padilla, noting that LA is home to the largest population of Salvadorans outside of El Salvador.
“Their contributions to our city’s cultural, economic and civil life are immeasurable,” she added.
Claudia Monterrosa, director of policy and innovation for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), was one of several Salvadoran Americans who spoke during the council meeting. She described it as an honor to have the city recognize the Salvadoran community’s “direct contributions and impacts to the city of Los Angeles.”
“These contributions are exhibited by our hard work, diligence, our wonderful culture, our food … our music, our art and the hundreds of ways that we help make this city thrive,” said Monterrosa. “Thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of this amazing community that is … dedicated and continues to contribute to the economy. While we are facing this uncertain time, we are standing here together.”
Jocelyn Duarte, executive director of the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF), thanked the City Council for recognizing Salvadoran-American Heritage Day and celebrating people across all vocations who help “make our city the place it is today.”
“During these critical times, when immigrant communities are under attack, it is important, more than ever, for us to celebrate our diversity,” said Duarte. “Today we are acknowledging the accomplishments … of all the Salvadoran Americans [who] have been here not only partaking in building the American dream, but in building the immigrant dream.”
Councilmembers John Lee, Monica Rodriguez, Padilla and several others also expressed appreciation for their Salvadoran Americans staff members who support their work on the City Council, and also to those they routinely collaborate with across LA’s diverse communities.
“Not only are you making the city stronger, but especially my office,” said Lee. “I see the contributions every day from not only [Salvadoran Americans], but also from immigrants from around the world that really make up this great city.”
“I’m so incredibly proud to see so many folks that span so many incredible [professions] … especially the strength of the Latinas that are in this space, because it’s unstoppable,” said Rodriguez, describing them as the “heartbeat of what keeps us running.”
“Thank you all so much,” added Padilla, “for bringing your work ethic, dedication and special sazón [seasoning] to my team.”