LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The Arkansas National Guard and the Little Rock Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission hosted a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the Little Rock City Hall Rotunda. “The event was is part of the Arkansas National Guard's continued commitment to equal opportunity and diversity through training and cultural awareness”, said Maj. Craig Heathscott, State Public Affairs Officer

At the event, Dr. Lilia Compadre addressed the crowd and mentioned many of the Arkansas Hispanic contributions and her own life story as a Mexican immigrant.

Enrique Castro, a UALR student enlightened the audience with his guitar.

Carlos Garcia de Alba, Consul General of Mexico who participated at the celebration, told ¡Hola! Arkansas that the process of opening the Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock continues. “I expect to be open in the early Spring 2006. We are working a few details,” De Alba said. “You have to keep in mind the process includes four governments, the United States, Mexico, Arkansas and the city of Little Rock, but we are moving toward our goal.”

"This special observance provides us an opportunity to express our appreciation to Hispanic Americans for their countless contributions to our society," said Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow, adjutant general of Arkansas. "More than 30 Hispanics have earned our nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. Here in Arkansas, Hispanics have made positive contributions in virtually every aspect of our lives - the arts, science, academics, business, legal, and politics."

Today, there are more than 200,000 Hispanic Americans serving in the United States Armed Forces. President George W. Bush, in a proclamation signed Sept. 16, stated: "Throughout our history, America has been a land of diversity and has benefited from the contributions of people of different ...