October 11, 2018
Remarks of Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo at the Hispanic Heritage Month Event, Washington, D.C.
Welcome
Good afternoon, and welcome to the CFTC’s 2018 Hispanic Heritage Month Program. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. We show our “respeto”…a Spanish word with deep meaning … a respect for the experience and contributions made by Hispanic Americans, who have made our nation nobler, better, more diverse, and stronger. As the great Mexican novelist, Carlos Fuentes, observed “Cultures only flourish in contact with others.” And we flourish by observing Hispanic Heritage Month. Through honoring Hispanic Americans, in Fuentes words, “we honor ourselves…. We find ourselves.” We give to each other. He said each of us look “into the mirror.”
Let’s look into the mirror. Today, we have an outstanding educator and academic with us, someone who has been one of the major contributors to American education and society. We are honored to have Ms. Aimee Viana as our guest speaker. Her background is stellar. She will help us look into the mirror. Aimee Viana was appointed on Feb. 26, 2018, to the position of executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Prior to assuming her position, Aimee was the senior executive director of the Secretariat for Lay Formation, Marriage, and Family Life for the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina. Previously, she served as a school principal and assistant principal, including at a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. She was honored as a top middle school principal in Western Wake County (North Carolina) by Cary Magazine in 2016. Aimee was also recognized by Latino American Who's Who in 2012 for her achievement in advancing the culture of the Latino-American community.
Aimee began her teaching career in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (Florida). A daughter of Cuban immigrants, Aimee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, with endorsement to teach English as a second language, and a Master of Science degree in early childhood education—both from Florida International University in Miami, Florida.
This is an impressive background, a life of giving and sharing. Aimee is a quintessential teacher who helps each of us learn, and grow, and understand each other. We are delighted to have her with us today. Please join me in welcoming Aimee Viana to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
References:
Library of Congress
https://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/
Department of Education
https://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/aviana.html
Carlos Fuentes. The Buried Mirror: Reflections on Spain and the New World. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992.