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Resolution
Support US Postage Stamp
Honoring Ruben Salazar (Journalist)
Whereas,
in an effort to increase the visibility of
important Latinos who represent the rich and
varied history of the United States, a series of
names be proposed to the US Postal Service for
consideration, beginning with Ruben Salazar; and
Whereas,
Salazar is considered one of the most important
journalist in the last century. Born in Ciudad
Juarez in 1928 and raised in El Paso, Texas,
Salazar was among the first Mexican-American to
cross over mainstream media and in 1959 began
work at the Los Angeles Times; and
Whereas,
in his
first year at the Los Angeles Times he
distinguished himself in local reporting
coverage of a young Cesar Chavez and the bracero
guest worker program. Later he informed the
public through his reporting abroad - in the
Dominican Republic, Vietnam and Mexico City. in
1969, he gained national recognition as the
first Mexican American columnist for a large US
paper; and
WHEREAS, He has been
described as a 'man who best articulated the
necessity for the pursuit of long overdue social
reforms for the Spanish Speaking community in
the United States'. In doing so he provided an
important service to the public in the finest
tradition of American journalism. Salazar
continued his weekly column after he accepted a
position, in 1970, as news director for
Spanish-language TV station KMEX; and
Whereas, while covering the
Chicano Anti-Vietnam War Moratorium in Los
Angeles, on Aug.29, 1970, Salazar was fatally
shot. He was 42. He left a family, an important
legacy and many untold stories that hundreds of
other Latino journalists -inspired by Salazar's
example- have continued to tell;
and
Whereas, his former colleges
helped form the California Chicano News Media
Association to increase the number of Latinos in
the news media and to encourage a more accurate
portrayal of the ethnic group. The National
Association of Hispanic Journalists, formed in
1984, awards Ruben Salazar scholarship to
aspiring journalists, and many awards, schools,
parks, and community centers have been named in
Salazar's memory;
NOW
Therefore, Be It Resolved, this
effort is led by the College of Humanities
Media, Democracy & Policy Initiative at the
University of Arizona, Tucson, and that a postal
stamp is now appropriate to honor this
illustrious American;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
by that the League of United Latin American
Citizens, better known as LULAC, is joining this
effort to request that the Postal Stamp
Selection Committee and therefore US Postmaster
Jack Potter.
Adopted this 2nd day of July
2005.
Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President |
