QUINN CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH SEVEN-TIME ALL-STAR AND BASEBALL HALL OF FAME'S MINNIE MINOSO

QUINN CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH SEVEN-TIME ALL-STAR AND BASEBALL HALL OF FAME'S MINNIE MINOSO

            Quinn celebrates "Everyday People Doing Extraordinary Things"and salutes the legacy of civil rights activist Cesar E. Chavez

CHICAGO—Orestes ‘Minnie' Minoso— seven-time All-Star White Sox legend elected to the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame and the World Baseball Hall of Fame - joined Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2003.

            "'Minnie' Minoso is a Hispanic American role-model that Chicago is proud to call its own," said Quinn. "As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2003, we can look with awe at the strides made by the Hispanic American community in Illinois over the past decade and look with unbridled enthusiasm for the next decade."

            Born in Havana, Cuba, Minoso was known as the "Cuban Comet," and was the first Chicago White Sox player to break the color barrier in 1951.  Minoso finished his rookie year as the American League leader in stolen bases and later on became a three-time Gold Glove outfielder. After retiring in 1964, the Sox brought Minoso on to coach from 1976 to 1978 and he retired in 1980. The club's president named him "Mr. White Sox" before his number "9" was retired in 1983. In 2002, he was inducted in to the Shrine of the Eternals.

            Themed, Everyday People Doing Extraordinary Things, Quinn highlighted Hispanic Americans who have made a difference in the community and unveiled a week-long display full of examples of everyday Hispanic American heroes, which were hand-picked by Hispanic American leaders from Illinois and students from School District 99 in Cicero.

            Quinn also saluted Hispanic American hero Cesar Chavez, discussed 25^th Ward Alderman Danny Solis' plans to create an honorary street named after Chavez in Pilsen, promoted Cong. Luis Gutierrez's efforts to rename the post office on 18^th and Ashland in honor of Chavez, and spoke about the "Cesar Chavez Learn and Service Project", which Quinn is working on with the Chicago Public Schools.

            On the 76th anniversary of his birth, the legacy of civil rights activist Cesar E. Chavez was celebrated by Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, Chavez' grandson - Paul Chavez - and a host of labor leaders, immigrant rights advocates, veterans groups and activists who knew Chavez.

            "Cesar Chavez once said, ‘A lasting organization is one in which people will continue to build, develop and move when you are not there'," Quinn said. "The spirit of Cesar Chavez - ‘Si se puede' - or ‘Yes, we can' lives on in the hearts of everyone concerned with social justice. Today we celebrate that legacy." 

            Quinn was also joined by community activist Mary Gonzalez, Chicago reporter Chris Hernandez, and Principal Denise Boyle from District 99 Unity Junior High School.

            The Farragut High School ROTC Color Guard and Morton East High School folklorico dancers also performed at the event.