Comite Noviembre 2000

COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
MES DE LA HERENCIA PUERTORRIQUEÑA
Editors: Blánca Vazquez & Teresa Santiago
Typography & Design: Blánca Vazquez

The year 2000 marks the fourteenth anniversary of the celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month in this country. Established in 1987, Comité Noviembre brings together the strengths and talents of six key Puerto Rican organizations: ASPIRA of New York, Inc.; El Museo del Barrio; Eugenio María de Hostos Community College; the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly; the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights; and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund. This coordinating body plans and promotes this month-long event.

Comité Noviembre is proud of its ability to bring together the Puerto Rican community by preserving, teaching and promoting Puerto Rican culture and history. By embracing our strengths, respecting our differences and understanding our diverse political ideologies, November has become a time to discuss all aspects and issues of the Puerto Rican community from the cultural, social and civic to the educational, economic and political with objectivity and pride.

This year’s theme: "Entendiendo Nuestro Pasado…Creamos Nuestro Futuro, Understanding Our Past…Defining Our Future," urges the Puerto Rican community to research and learn about their history. Knowing our past empowers us to participate in and make informed decisions about the future of our community. Many of the events dominating newspaper headlines and television broadcasts about Puerto Rico this year—the role of the Navy in Vieques, the status question, and the March release of the FBI’s "Carpetas/Dossiers" on the Puerto Rican independence movement—are interrelated and linked to an undeniable past. Only by knowing, understanding and acknowledging our history can we participate fully in the events of the future.

Each year, Comité Noviembre selects a spokesperson that has played a pivotal role in making a unique imprint on this country, not only by shaping the image and future of Puerto Rico, but of all Americans. Comité Noviembre is proud that its national spokesperson this year is internationally acclaimed Latin Jazz artist Dave Valentín.

Since its inception, Comité Noviembre has placed special focus on educational excellence as the key to the future. In order to secure that our children have better educational opportunities, the Comité Noviembre Scholarship Program will once again award scholarships to exceptional Puerto Rican students. The proceeds from the Comité Noviembre Gala support the scholarship program. The gala benefit dinner will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2000, at the Grand Hyatt New York in Manhattan.

Through "Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad," Comité Noviembre recognizes outstanding individuals who are the unsung heroes of our community. Puerto Ricans whose pride in their heritage and strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make a significant impact on the community. Comité Noviembre chose seven individuals from the nominations that were submitted by you, the community. In addition, three young people will be highlighted for their leadership and commitment to their community.

On Sunday, November 19, 2000, at El Museo del Barrio, Comité Noviembre will once again sponsor its Day of Social Responsibility and Community Service. We are asking that you participate by bringing coats and jackets for children and adults to El Museo on that day. These coats will be distributed during Thanksgiving week to homeless and battered women shelters, churches and senior citizens centers throughout Manhattan. We urge you to participate.

Many wonderful events and activities have been planned throughout New York, New Jersey and other neighboring states. Comité Noviembre invites everyone to share and celebrate in our culture and heritage. And remember that knowledge is power and that in order to fully participate in the 21st century we must teach our children our proud and rich history.

Members of Comité Noviembre (left to right):

Suleika Cabrera Drinane, Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly
Richie Pérez, National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
Lili Santiago-Silva, El Museo del Barrio
Teresa Santiago, Chairperson - Comité Noviembre
Lourdes R. Torres, Hostos Community College
Angel M. Santini, Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly
Blanca Vázquez, Consultant
Lisa Rodríguez, ASPIRA of NY, Inc.
Lucía Gómez, Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (Not Shown)
Henry Cruz, Consultant (Not Shown)

For Comité Noviembre,

History and Mission

In 1987 five of New York City’s most established Puerto Rican organizations joined forces to preserve the richness of the Puerto Rican culture and acknowledge the numerous contributions Puerto Ricans have made to mainstream America. The vision of these organizations: the Association of Hispanic Arts, the Association of Puerto Rican Executive Directors, ASPIRA of New York, Inc., El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños (Hunter College), and the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (then known as the Office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) gave birth to Comité Noviembre.

Comité Noviembre is a non-profit volunteer organization that brings together the collective talents of ASPIRA of New York, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College (CUNY), the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, El Museo del Barrio, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Comité Noviembre’s mission is to promote awareness of the social, cultural, economic and political contributions of the Puerto Rican community to this nation. This monthlong celebration provides an important opportunity to applaud the contributions of those who came before, recognize the pivotal impact made by Puerto Rican leaders of the present, and provide examples and cultural grounding to our young people who represent the emerging Boricua leaders of tomorrow.

About The Poster

The poster highlights the Taína, which symbolizes the female embodiment of a powerful Puerto Rican heritage. The Taínos were the indigenous people of Puerto Rico and thanks to their legacy of courage, pride and tradition we are a unified culture, proud and dignified by our past and our present.

The Puerto Rican flag which drapes over the Taína is a representation of our evolution and the strength of our culture. She represents the pride of what I call an "International Nation," which encompasses our Taíno, Spanish and African heritage. The presence of our flag unites and empowers us to understand and confront issues as a united force that are affecting our community such as the campaign for peace and justice in Vieques in Puerto Rico, New York and the United States as a whole.

In the background is New York City which has received our people for decades and from where many of our future children will come. It is the embodiment of our home and a land which gives us the opportunity to create new experiences and shape our future. This cultural education prepares us to solve this paradigm: How will we create the future…

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Joaquín Emir Dávila Matos’ interest in Plastic Arts and Science began at the age of ten. His constant creation and evolution in these fields have made him what he is today—a chemist and creative artist. In 1982, he studied chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, in Cayey, where he began his formal studies in Arts under Myrna Arocho. In 1986 he received his Bachelors degree in Science (Chemistry), with minor concentrations in Philosophy, Mathematics and Arts.

While combining science and art may seem unusual it makes perfect sense to Dávila Matos. He has participated in group and individual exhibitions at the Museo de Arte e Historia and the Ateneo Puertorriqueño in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His art has also been exhibited at the University of Cayey; Museo Histórico de Caguas, Caguas, P.R.; Instituto de Cultura de Humacao, P.R.; and Pabellón de las Artes de Caguas, P.R.

He has designed sets for theatre as well as for corporate products and events. In 1994, he designed the poster for the Second Caguas-Gurabo Exposition in Puerto Rico. Joaquin has been a member of the artist collective "YA" in Puerto Rico which is comprised of 21 artists from the Valle del Turabo area. Currently, he is a Graphic Artist for a consulting firm in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Of his multiple interests, Joaquín says, "Though art and science may seem as two contradictory fields, I use them in a manner to balance our thirst for knowledge and creativity. I believe that to simply exist, without purpose or the discovery and appreciation of the simple things, would be detrimental to my soul. That is why I pursue both areas, art and science: matter and spirit…"

Comité Noviembre

Mes De La Herencia Puertorriqueña

Fifth Annual Gala

National Spokesperson

Dave Valentin
Internationally Acclaimed Latin Jazz Artist

Honorees

Jose 0. Aguiar
President and CEO Kleener King

Roberto Clemente, Jr.
President Roberto Clemente Foundation

Susan Hernandez
Attorney

Carol Robles-Roman
Senior Vice-President and General Counsel
Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company

Thursday, November 30, 2000

The Grand Hyatt 42nd St. at Grand Central New York City

Entertainment

Brenda K. Starr

George Lamond

Cocktails at 6 PM; Dinner at 8 PM Black Tie

Tickets: $350 per person

Non-profit rate available: $175, 501C-3 letter required For information contact Miranda Y Mas at (212) 808-0221

The proceeds of the Gala go towards the Comité Noviembre Scholarship Awards Program

Sponsors

Comité Noviembre

Mes De La Herencia Puertorriqueña

Would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the sponsors
and supporters of Puerto Rican Heritage Month 2000

New York Daily News

VIVA / New York

Heineken USA

Macy's East

Banco Popular

Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College

Goya Foods Inc.

Time Warner Inc.

Kleener King

TCI The College for Technology

Hispanic Federation of New York, Inc.

Institute for the Puerto Rican / Hispanic Elderly

Imaging Solutions of Tribeca

Comité Noviembre Member Agencies
ASPIRA of New York, Inc.
El Museo del Barrio
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College
Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund

Puerto Rican Heritage Month Fiscal Agency
Institute for the Puerto Rican / Hispanic Elderly