Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg hosted a reception at Gracie Mansion in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated each year from September 15th to October 15th to highlight the many cultural and social contributions of Hispanics in the United States. New York City is home to more than two million Hispanics and hosts an annual Hispanic Day Parade that showcases the cultural diversity of Hispanic countries from Europe, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Mayor Bloomberg will march in this year's parade, which will take place on Sunday, October 12, 2008, and will travel up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 72nd Street. At tonight's reception, the Mayor announced that the City's Office of the Mayor website will now be available in Spanish. Joining the Mayor at the reception were 2008 Hispanic Heritage Parade Committee President Elena Martos, Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Román, Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez, Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Guillermo Linares, Juvenile Justice Commissioner Neil Hernandez, Youth and Community Development Commissioner Jeanne Mulgrav, New York City Housing Authority President Tino Hernandez, Housing Authority Environmental Coordinator Margarita Lopez and other invited guests. 

"New York City has the honor of being home to over two million Hispanics, who have helped make New York the most diverse city in the world," said Mayor Bloomberg. "As we celebrate their many accomplishments and contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month, we are also taking steps to make City government more accessible and inclusive for all New Yorkers."

The Office of the Mayor website, which can be found on www.nyc.gov offering news, information on City agencies and other relevant Office of the Mayor information, will now be available in Spanish. In July, Mayor Bloomberg signed Executive Order 120, requiring increased language assistance for Limited English Proficient New Yorkers through translation and interpretation services for City agencies that have direct interaction with the public. City agencies have until the end of the year to submit their individual Language Access policy and implementation plan. Early next year, these plans will be available on www.nyc.gov and their progress will be monitored by the Mayor's Office of Operations.

Tonight's reception is generously being sponsored by Goya. Donations for the event were made by: Avocados from Mexico, Blend Wine & Spirits, Confitería Carrera, D'Arrigo Bros. Co.,  Dyckman Liquors, Gauchas Argentinean Empanadas, Fiesta Wines, Havana Alma de Cuba, Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation, Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Market, Manhattan Beer Distributors, Master Purveyors, Inc., Pollo Campero, Top Banana Co. and Vibis Cakes. Trio Paraguayo, Expresión and Ballet Panambi Vera Paraguay are providing entertainment for the evening.