Local businessman to speak at Lunch and Learn

By Staff Reports, ANAD Public AffairsSeptember 26, 2016

Local businessman to speak at Lunch and Learn
Frank Marchan, the speaker for this month's Lunch and Learn event, was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, located in central Mexico. His father worked with cars and passed down his appreciation for the work as well as his skills to Marchan, who opened Marcha... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Frank Marchan, the speaker for this month's Lunch and Learn event, was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, located in central Mexico.

He and his family moved to the United States in 1982 when he was 15, settling in California.

His father worked with cars and passed down his appreciation for the work as well as his skills to Marchan.

Marchan moved to Alabama as an adult because he had cousins who lived in the area.

In 2012, he opened Marchan Auto Repair in Oxford.

"I wanted to succeed, so I made an opportunity for myself," said Marchan.

HISPANIC HERITAGE LUNCH AND LEARN

Date: September 28

Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Speaker: Frank Marchan, a local businessman

Cost: $0 - bring your own lunch and enjoy the presentation.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2016

Hispanics embrace, enrich, enable America

by Lula Cole, ANAD EEO Office

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. This is a time set aside for celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

The observance was authorized by Congress in September 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

In 1988, under President Ronald Reagan, the observance was expanded to a month-long celebration. It was enacted into law Aug. 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

Sept. 15 begins the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. Moreover, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, falls within this 30-day period.

Hispanic is not a race.

In 1977, the Office of Management and Budget issued the "Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting." The U.S. racial classifications to be American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Black and White were established.

The ethnic classifications of "Hispanic Origin" and "Not of Hispanic Origin" were also added. Moreover, the term Hispanic or Latino, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

As of July 1, 2015, Hispanics constituted 17.6 percent of the American total population, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest ethnic or racial minority.

The Hispanic population of the U.S. is expected to grow to 119 million by 2060, constituting 31 percent of the nation's population.

Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service.

They have enhanced and shaped our national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their community.

Hispanics contribute to our nation's success in amazing ways -- they serve in the military and government, attend schools across America and strengthen the economy.

As of August 2016, Anniston Army Depot has a total of seven Hispanics in various grade levels. Five of these employees are veterans.

ANAD will commemorate its Hispanic observance with a lunch and learn event Sept. 28 beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Training Building

For additional information, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at 256-235-6201.

Sources:

• http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/

• http://www.hispanicresearch.com/index.php/hispanic-market-data/faq/87-why-doesnt-the-census-include-hispanic-as-a-race

• http://www.migrationpolicy.org