WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to recognize the many valuable contributions of Hispanic Americans serving in the federal government, the Department of Energy (DOE) held a ceremony commemorating ‘Hispanic Heritage Month.’
“For many years people from America’s Hispanic community have made important contributions to the Department of Energy in the science and engineering field,” Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham said. “Our goal is to further expand the participation of Hispanic Americans throughout the department.”
On September 17, 2004,President Bush proclaimed September 15, 2004, through October 15, 2004, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. The President has encouraged public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs.
The keynote speaker for the department’s third quarter program was former Governor Jerry Apodaca of New Mexico (1975–1979). Governor Apodaca was the first Hispanic American to serve as Governor of New Mexico since 1918.
"Now more than at anytime in history, Hispanics in the United States, are on the cutting edge of a major shift in economic and political empowerment," Governor Apodaca stated. ”Government clearly understands Hispanics represent a major segment of the workforce of the future.”
Following his service as governor, Apodaca had a distinguished career in education and public service. During Apodaca’s administration, he accomplished the historic reorganization of New Mexico’s state government system. He created the first cabinet by consolidating 112 agencies into 12 departments. His streamlining of government eliminated excesses and wastefulness and brought much needed accountability to all departments. He funded statewide kindergarten for the first time ever, and during his four-year term he provided public schools some of the largest revenue increases in history.
In 1977, he was elected Chairman of the Education Commission of the States and in 1978 he was the recipient of the Award for Distinguished Service for Higher Education. In addition, Governor Apodaca was one of the founding publishers of Hispanic Magazine and Vista Magazine.
During the ceremony, Chief Information Officer Rose Parkes, one of the highest ranking Hispanic women at the Department of Energy noted, “The Energy Department recognizes the contributions of Hispanics to this nation and is committed to improving the representation of Hispanics within the department. Improving diversity is a business imperative for this agency.”
DOE has made significant strides toward diversity in the workplace. For example:
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On January 14, 2004, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham signed the department’s First Nationwide Hispanic Employment Plan. This comprehensive recruitment and hiring plan outlined DOE’s next steps to incorporate diversity into our workforce planning efforts. OPM has recognized the plan as one of the best in government and other agencies are using parts of the plan to develop their next steps. Over the last year, a council representing more than 40 DOE offices has worked together to ensure that the plan is incorporated into program office workforce planning programs.
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Hispanic employment in the department grew from 5.5 percent in 2000 to over 6.1 percent today, while the department as a whole experienced some downsizing (14,600 to 13,700 today).
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Annually, DOE supports recruitment and outreach efforts at Hispanic-serving institutions – the Energy Department is working to establish strong relationships with the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez and the University of Texas Pan American. Both schools were featured as top schools in science and engineering for Hispanic students.
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DOE is a proud supporter of the Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology Week (HESTEC) in Edinburg, Texas. DOE sponsors a solar car race and rally to give young minds an opportunity to showcase their talent and interest in science education. More than 15,000 Hispanic high school students are exposed to science and engineering during this week-long program. Our participation in HESTEC has allowed us the opportunity to work closely with the HESTEC host school, the University of Texas – Pan American to establish a source for recruitment.
- DOE served as a co-sponsor of the first Greater Washington, D.C., Hispanic Youth Symposium that took place in July 2004, and brought together 100 Hispanic high school students in the Washington, D.C., area for three days and two nights of leadership development training. The program took place on the campus of Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. More than 170 adults volunteered to support the program. Students learned about financial management, college options, employment opportunities and the key ingredients for leadership. They also had a chance to take a ride in a Hydrogen Car, courtesy of General Motors Corporation. This program has changed the lives of students in the Washington area and we hope to see it continue to receive future departmental support.
Media contact: Jacqueline Johnson, 202/586-5806
