Connections Hispanic American Heritage Month September 15—October 15, 2020

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PMB Administrative Services AVSO BAD CADR IBC OFAS OHA

Our Vision: To Deliver Outstanding Products and Customer Service While Actively Creating and Sustaining a Respectful Focus Message from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administrative Services

Dear Administrative Services Team, I’m delighted to welcome the Department’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to the collaborative team contributing to our monthly issues of Connections Magazine. I especially want to welcome Erica D. White-Dunston, Esq., OCR Director and Chief Diversity Officer, andTyvonia Ward, Director of the Affirmative Employment Program Division, who will be joining me in providing executive sponsorship in our continuing efforts to champion the Special Emphasis Program throughout DOI. Thank you for your kind support, Erica and Tyvonia! I look forward to working with you to bring Connections to an ever-wider audience within the Department. This year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month theme is Hispanics: Be Proud of Your Past, Embrace the Future. What better way to exemplify this theme than to feature on our cover Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space. Following her career as an astronaut, Dr. Ochoa was the 11th Director of NASA’s Johnson IN THIS ISSUE: Space Center and had the honor of having six schools named after her across the country. Read more about this remarkable HISPANIC-AMERICAN individual on page five. HERITAGE MONTH To commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re pleased to feature the OCR’s People of Interior initiative, which 2 Welcome/Table of Contents 3 About Hispanic-American Heritage shines a spotlight on our team members, co-workers and friends Month who proudly celebrate their Hispanic heritage. I know you will 4 World Facts enjoy reading the profiles included in this issue beginning on 5 Profile: Ellen Ochoa page six and I encourage you to celebrate the extraordinary 6 People of Interior 9 Profile: Abel Ramon contributions made by Hispanic Americans to our shared 10 Coming to America experience here in the United States of America. 11 Encuentra tu Parque 13 Combined Federal Campaign Please take care and stay safe, 14 Voices for Change: Dolores Huerta 15 Carlos Santana - Jacqueline M. Jones 16 About the Special Emphasis Program

The National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

2 22 About National Hispanic-American Heritage Month

Screen capture from Google Earth

From the National Park Service From the U.S. Census Bureau

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize Did You Know? the contributions and the important presence of • 60.6 million Hispanic and Latin Americans. The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2019, September 15 to October 15 is celebrated nationwide as making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or National Hispanic Heritage Month. It traditionally honors racial minority. Hispanics constitutedPOPULATIONS 18.5% of the nation ’s the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and total population. Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all • 12 Latin American countries. During this month and The number of states with a population of 1 million or more throughout the year, we, and our partners, share history, Hispanic residents in 2019 — Arizona, California, Colorado, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Americans of past and present. North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.

• Hispanic refers to a person who is from, or a • 34,358 descendant of someone who is from, a Spanish- The increase from 2018 to 2019 in the number of Hispanics in speaking country. Maricopa, Arizona, the biggest jump in this population during • Latino/a or Latinx refers to a person who is from, or this period. a descendant of someone who is from, a country in • 29.8 Latin America. The median age of the Hispanic population, up from 27.3 in 2010.

3 World View

Hispanic Countries: Populations Screen capture from Google Earth

Mexico 128,932,753

Colombia 50,882,891

Spain 46,754,778

Argentina 45,195,774

Peru 32,971,854

Venezuela 28,435,940

Chile 19,116,201

Guatemala 17,915,568

Ecuador 17,643,054

Bolivia 11,673,021

Cuba 11,326,616

Dominican Republic 10,847,910

Honduras 9,904,607

Nicaragua 6,624,554

El Salvador 6,486,205

POPULATIONS

Clockwise from above: Western Hemisphere delineating Spanish-speaking countries; Mexico tourism poster from the 1950’s; flags of Spanish-speaking countries (and Puerto Rico, the largest Spanish-speaking territory). 4 6 First Hispanic Woman in Space

On the Cover: NASA Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa

From NASA.GOV

Dr. Ellen Ochoa, a veteran astronaut, was the 11th director of the Johnson Space Center (JSC). She was JSC's first Hispanic director, and its second female director. Her previous management roles include Deputy Center Director and Director of Flight Crew Operations.

Ochoa joined NASA in 1988 as a research engineer at Ames Research Center and moved to Johnson Space Center in 1990 when she was selected as an astronaut. She became the first Hispanic woman to go to space when she served on the nine- day STS-56 mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1993. She has flown in space four times, including STS-66, STS-96 and STS-110, logging nearly 1,000 hours in orbit.

Born in California, Ochoa earned a bachelor's degree in physics from San Diego State University and a master's degree and doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University. As a research engineer at Sandia National Laboratories and NASA Ames Research Center, Ochoa investigated optical systems for performing information processing. She is a co-inventor on three patents and author of several technical papers.

Ochoa has been recognized with NASA's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award for senior executives in the federal government. She has received many other awards and is especially honored to have six schools named for her. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), serves on several boards, and chairs the Nomination Evaluation Committee

for the National Medal of Technology and Floating upside down and reading a checklist may not be how most of us perform the Innovation. day's work, but it was for astronaut Ellen Ochoa on Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-96 Ochoa is married to Coe Miles, an intellectual mission in May 1999. Ochoa floats along side the Volatile Removal Assembly Flight Experiment (VRAFE) located in the Spacelab during the flight. property attorney. They have two sons.

5 This Month: Celebrating Hispanic-American Heritage

Matt Azhocar (pictured, right) is BLM’s Division Chief for the National Training Center in Phoenix, AZ. Matt enjoys working alongside his teammates and providing educational and growth opportunities for all employees and learning communities at Interior.

Lili Valderrama (far right) is a Peruvian-American Bilingual Interpretive Seasonal Park Ranger at Olympic National Park in Washington State. Her most memorable day as a ranger was when she conducted a bilingual program for Latinx students at Forks Elementary. Lili says students are the future stewards of our national parks.

Alejandro Vazquez (right) is a Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State. As an educator in the outdoors, Alejandro helps provide a space on public lands that is inclusive to and welcoming of diverse audiences.

Angel Colon-Santiago (far right) is a Biologist with FWS in Puerto Rico. He helps people understand how the Federal government protects wildlife in the Caribbean.

Stephanie Romanach (right) is a USGS Research Ecologist at Everglades National Park in Florida. Stephanie is passionate about the conservation of nature, whether it is for our well-being and enjoyment, or to preserve for future generations.

Maria Trevino (far right) enjoys working for NPS’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. Because of her work, she has the opportunity to learn from different communities, allowing her to expand her vision of the world.

“People of Interior” is a monthly feature from the Department’s Office of Civil Rights 6 to recognize and celebrate the cultural heritage of our employees. 6 “It is humbling to be part of this vast 65,000+ network of talented professionals serving in such a diverse setting. Our collective mission is as vast as the impact we have on this planet.” - Ray Limon, Deputy Assistant Secretary Human Capital and Diversity

Leo Miranda (left) is a Regional Director at FWS. He and his team of 1300 employees work conserving fish and wildlife and providing outdoor recreation on public lands from the Southern Appalachians to the Caribbean.

Catherine Cilfone (right), NPS, is Chair of the Department of Interior’s National Association of Hispanic Employees (NAHE). Catherine partners with DOI senior leaders to help DOI maximize diversity efforts for all employees.

Ivette Lopez (left) is a Park Ranger in Sacramento. She is fulfilled by connecting local, diverse communities to nature by getting people outdoors.

Robert Casias (right), BLM: “I have devoted myself to the management of the Public Lands because I feel a responsibility to the stewardship of these lands and the resources contained on them.”

Ivan Llerandi Roman (left) is Habitat Restoration Programs Caribbean Coordinator for FWS in Puerto Rico. He works with partners to restore important habitats for at-risk species.

Eduardo Chaidez (right) is a Park Guide/Volunteer Coordinator at the John Muir National Historic Site in California. He creates opportunities for diverse communities to connect to our cultural and natural resources.

“People of Interior” is a monthly feature from the Department’s Office of Civil Rights 7 to recognize and celebrate the cultural heritage of our employees. 7 Toño Garcia-Bermudes (left), Wildlife Biologist with FWS in Puerto Rico, says the most satisfactory part of his work is bridging the gaps for all people so that everyone can advance conservation efforts.

Limaris Soto (right) is a Geologist at NPS. The most rewarding part of her job is working with partners to provide internship opportunities for the next generation of park scientists and stewards, and then seeing some of those interns join NPS as employees.

Felix Lopez (left) is a Contaminants Specialist with FWS in Puerto Rico. He works to ensure that the wildlife we see today will be there for future generations to enjoy. “Working at Interior is never boring and it never gets old,” Felix says.

Esmeralda Reyes (right) is a Steward Program Intern at Biscayne National Park in Florida. She works as a Volunteer Coordinator and she loves communicating the incredible volunteer opportunities available for people in the Miami-Dade County communities.

Emmanuel Rodriguez (left) is an IT Specialist with NPS who gets great satisfaction in knowing that his work on facility projects helps preserve and protect historical and cultural sites for future generations.

Georgina Jacquez (right) is an Interpreter at Tumacacori National Historical Park in Arizona. She defines the interpretative work as not only engaging, but a means to personal connections to park resources and lasting memories. “I’m honored to work as a Park Ranger at NPS.”

Elyse Smith (below, left) is an Analyst with BLM. She loves her job because it gives her an opportunity to make a difference by analyzing, evaluating, and improving critical processes and procedures that support DOI's mission.

Zach Palma (below, right) is a bilingual Park Ranger. Zach works on the US- Mexico border and tells the story of the people that call the United States home by providing different perspectives on how we identify with our history.

Jonathan Villareal (below) is a Personnel Security Specialist at BLM. He works behind the scenes to support employees and protect IT security for DOI.

Isabel Long (right) is a Program Specialist in Interior’s Office of Civil Rights. She loves promoting the unique contributions every employee brings to the success of DOI’s mission, and she actively encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply to DOI.

“People of Interior” is a monthly feature from the Department’s Office of Civil Rights 8 to recognize and celebrate the cultural heritage of our employees. 8 Spotlight on Federal Service

[left]: Abel and his family at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. [below]: Silhouette of Jackson Park circa 1939 from the collection of the DOI Museum

Abel Ramon What do you love about your job? I really enjoy the wide variety of work that my role provides. Branch Chief, National Park Service It’s equally great to work in an office full of professionals who What was the path that led you to the National are as passionate about the National Park Mission as I am. It’s meaningful that I can actually see how my work impacts that Park Service Denver Service Center? mission. During my time as a college student, I worked part time in a What's your favorite project you have worked on records management consulting firm, which is where I learned to be a system administrator for records and why? management databases. After graduation, I was offered a full National Museum of the American Latino Commission Report -time job with the same firm and began implementing to the President and Congress. It allowed me to showcase my records management software for oil and gas industries. After skills and dedication during a high profile project. about three years of doing that, my family and I decided to move to Colorado and I took a job as a records manager with What about your heritage would you like to share the Department of Energy, Western Area Power with others? Administration, where I served for almost four years before We don't all speak Spanish! English was first in my household. moving to the Denver Service Center.

9 9 8 Coming to America

To Gain So Much More: Becoming a United States Citizen

By Gary Bremen, NPS

Biscayne National Park, Florida

When he walked in, I was sure he was from Brazil. Well, 70% sure anyway. After 30 years of being a ranger, it's kind of a game for me to guess where people are from when they walk into the visitor center at Biscayne National Park here in Florida. When he spoke to me, my confidence that he was from Brazil rose to 80%. His English was great, but an almost- poetic rhythm gave it away. That, and the fact that he was wearing a suit and tie rather than the flip-flops and -t shirts that most park visitors wear. He was here for a Citizenship Ceremony.

Becoming a US citizen is a big deal, made even more special when the ceremony takes place in a national park, a place that the new citizen now owns. Lots of smiles, lots of pictures, and event called up the man from Brazil (I was right!). He did a more than a few pensive faces. I imagine what it might feel great job. I saw him again just 10 minutes later on the front like to reject my past. Not my heritage, mind you, but to porch of the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. The day was breezy, "absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and the sun was bright, and the red, white and blue bunting was fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty." gorgeous in front of Biscayne Bay's sparkling waters. I had to look up some of those words. They were chosen for a reason. The man from Brazil stood next to a young woman with a southern accent. She held a little boy in a green polo shirt A new citizen once told me, "It is hard waving a tiny American flag. Another little guy stood in front of to give up something you've always them wearing a vest and tie, shirt half untucked in the way known, but you do it knowing you are little boys do. They were all smiles as the woman I’d spoken to earlier snapped pictures of her daughter, son-in-law and gaining so much more." grandkids. When the happy couple leaned in for a kiss, boys looking on, three rangers went tight-lipped, and at least one of At each ceremony, one new citizen is chosen to lead the group them felt his eyes well up. in the Pledge of Allegiance. The master of ceremonies for the

10 10 Photos by Gary Bremen,, NPS Find Your Park

commemorates the 1540 expedition into the southwest led by ¡Encuentra tu Parque! Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. Near Tampa, De Soto Find Your Park! National Memorial helps tell the story of Hernando De Soto’s three-year exploration of the southeastern United States By Gary Bremen, Park Ranger, Biscayne National Park starting in 1539. Sadly, such expeditions also introduced devastating disease to native populations, as well as helping to The National Park Service cares for special places set aside by destroy well-established cultures and religions. the American People so that all can experience our heritage. Here are just a few of the 421 national parks that tell the story In South Florida, Biscayne National Park was named for the of Latinx people. body of water between Spain and France. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon came to the clear, shallow lagoon near A trio of national parks are widely separated geographically, Miami in 1513, and was followed by a number of Spanish but are united by a common theme of exploration. In San explorers. The park’s waters still hold the remains of a number Diego, overlooking the Pacific and within sight of Mexico, of their ships that came to grief on the knife-edged reefs. Cabrillo National Monument pays tribute to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who explored this area and claimed the coast for Many national parks in former Spanish/Mexican territories Spain in 1542. Arizona’s Coronado National Memorial also tell some fascinating stories related to Hispanic Heritage. The San Antonio Missions in Texas are not only part of a national park but were designated a World Heritage Site in 2015 by the United Nations, placing them on par with Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, Peru’s Machu Picchu and Spain’s Alhambra. Other parks that tell the story of Spanish colonization from a religious context are Arizona’s Tumacacori National Historic Park, where Jesuit Father Kino established a mission in 1691, and New Mexico’s Pecos National Monument, a cultural crossroads and one of the sites of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt in which the Pecos people destroyed a Catholic Church in their efforts to drive the Spanish Point Loma Light at Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego back to Mexico. California – Creative Commons Photo by Frank Schulenburg

11 Find Your Park

[continued from previous page]

In 2012, President Barack Obama recognized that the proud history of Latinx people in the United States was not all about things that happened centuries ago. Using the power given him in the 1906 Antiquities Act, the President declared César E. Chávez National Monument near Keene, California. Chávez is widely recognized as one of the most important Latinx leaders of the twentieth century for his role in organizing farmworkers to demand better wages and working conditions. The movement’s iconic chant “¡si se puede!” (“yes we can!”) has been adopted by many who protest injustice variety of organizations such as the Gay Latino Alliance, the over the years. Lilith Theater and La Casa de las Madres, a shelter for battered In addition to the 421 National Parks, the National Park Service women. also manages the National Register of Historic Places and the As the Nation’s Storyteller, the National Park service is proud National Historic Landmarks Program. Some of those sites to highlight and include all of America’s stories and offer include the former Miami News Building, also called the opportunities to look at how moments in history have shaped “Freedom Tower,” which was a processing center for Cuban our country in many far-reaching ways. Please join us at immigrants in the 1960s; Casa Amadeo, New York City’s National Parks across the country to learn more about our longest continuously-operating Latin music store; and the San country’s history. Francisco Women’s Building, which has been home to a wide

Above: Pecos National Historical Park – Creative Commons Photo by Travellover; Top: César Chávez National Monument

12 Spotlight: Finding Your Way help understanding or navigating the VA benefits that you earned, I will help you.’ “After a one-year deployment to Iraq, I was discharged from the Army with severe “The DAV representative, who was himself PTSD and other injuries. Like many a disabled vet, ‘held my hand’ through the returning vets, I was having difficulty entire medical and benefits process in understanding all the VA benefits I was order to help me continue my journey to entitled to receive. becoming whole again. I will always be grateful to the DAV.” “At the discharge facility, a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) representative - Marie Bradshaw gave me his card and told me, ‘If you need Office of the Chief Information Officer Marie in Al Faw Palace in Bagdad, Iraq, with CSM Hill and General Petraeus Ready to give? It’s so easy to show you care: Just click on the link,pick your charities and select the amount you wish to donate. Thanks for your generosity!

givecfc.org 13 13 Voices for Change: Dolores Huerta

“Respecting other people’s rights is peace.” “People would say ‘Who is a leader?’ A leader is a person that does the work. It's very simple. It's a

personal choice for people who Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta (born April 10, 1930) is an American labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Cesar choose to put in their time and their Chavez, is a co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Huerta helped organize the Delano grape commitment to do the work. It's a strike in 1965 in California and was the lead negotiator in the workers' contract that was created after the strike.

personal choice.” Huerta has received numerous awards for her community service and advocacy for workers', immigrants', and women's rights, including the Eugene V. Debs Foundation Outstanding American Award, the United States Presidential Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was the first Latina inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in 1993.

Huerta is the originator of the phrase, "Sí, se puede" (Yes, we can). As a role model to many in the Latino community, Huerta is the subject of many corridos (Mexican or Mexican-American ballads) and murals.

In California, April 10 is Dolores Huerta Day.

14 17 Rhythms of Life

The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.

- Carlos Santana

Photo of Blue Heron in Idaho by T. Stella

Carlos Santana (born July 20, Santana experienced a 1947) is a Mexican and resurgence of popularity and American guitarist who rose to critical acclaim in the late fame in the late 1960s and 1990s. In 2015, Rolling early 1970s with his band Stone magazine listed him at Santana, which pioneered a No. 20 on their list of the 100 fusion of rock 'n' roll and Latin greatest guitarists. American jazz. Its sound He has received 10 Grammy featured his melodic, blues- Awards and three Latin based lines set against Latin Grammy Awards, and was and African rhythms played inducted along with his on percussion instruments not namesake band into the Rock generally heard in rock, such and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. as timbales and congas.

15 About the Special Emphasis Program

Special Emphasis Programs (SEPs) are implemented and observed throughout the Department of the Interior primarily to ensure that all are provided an equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. These programs encourage employees to appreciate, value, understand, and celebrate social and cultural similarities and differences.

The Administrative Services Special Emphasis Program Team publishes Connections magazine to coincide with each monthly commemoration.

We would be delighted to have you be a part of our efforts by:

• Shaping subject matter for each magazine • Creating and submitting content • Participating in and hosting virtual observances and informal discussions • Celebrating diversity with family, friends and co-workers

To get started, please send an email here and a team member will contact you. Thank you sincerely for your interest!

Connections Magazine Hispanic American Heritage Month September 15—October 15, 2020

The Special Emphasis Program Magazine is a publication of the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Administrative Services. Your input is essential to making this a valuable resource for all employees. Please feel free to share your ideas, suggestions and articles/pictures with editor Steve Carlisle by emailing [email protected]. Thank you!

The views and conclusions contained in this work are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government.

16