In recognition of their 40-years of service to the Longmont community, Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley has proclaimed August as El Comité de Longmont month in the city. 

Susie Hidalgo-Fahring, Longmont’s first Latina city council member and liaison to the El Comité governing board, requested the creation of the proclamation and was instrumental in Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ recent statewide proclamation (click here to see the Governor’s Proclamation) recognizing the organization’s founding members Marta Moreno and Victor Vela.

Proclamations are normally read aloud during Tuesday night city council meetings. However, the next meeting is two weeks away and the Mayor decided to issue the proclamation online so that the Longmont community could congratulate and honor the significant impact made by the El Comité de Longmont organization during the past 40 years.

PROCLAMATION 

A Proclamation Designating August 2020,

As  

 “El Comité  de Longmont Month”

In Longmont, Colorado

WHEREAS,      August 14, 2020, marks the 40-year anniversary of a tragic event involving two Latino teens and the Longmont Police that inspired the creation of El Comité de Longmont; and 

WHEREAS,      Latino community leaders, Victor L. Vela and Marta Moreno, founded El Comité de Longmont on November 26, 1980, and began work with the Department of Justice to advocate for the rights of Latinos and improve community relations with local law enforcement and the community at large; and

WHEREAS,      El Comité de Longmont is dedicated to working with diverse populations to overcome challenging social issues like immigration, homelessness, and unemployment; and

WHEREAS,      El Comité de Longmont is a community bridge builder that promotes and expands self-sufficiency for hundreds of Longmont community members; and

WHEREAS,      Marta Moreno recently retired from her position as Executive Director of El Comité De Longmont after four decades of service; and

WHEREAS,      In his late seventies, Victor L. Vela, a U.S. Army veteran, and co-founder of El Comité de Longmont, continues to act as a fierce advocate for Latinos in Longmont,

NOW, THEREFORE, I Brian J. Bagley, Mayor, by virtue of the authority vested in me and the City Council of the City of Longmont, do hereby proclaim August 2020 as “El Comité de Longmont Month” in Longmont, and I encourage all residents of this great city to congratulate and recognize the incredible work and contributions to the community by El Comité de Longmont to promote and advocate for social justice and racial equality for the past 40 years.