WHEREAS,
Al Dia
was founded in 1992 by Hernan Guaracao, a journalist who was told he was overqualified to work in the existing community newspapers; and
WHEREAS, Being compelled to create his own opportunies, Hernan and his wife, Elizabeth, started
Al Dia
in their 2nd floor apartment in the Olney Neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Hernan and Elizabeth quickly distinguished their paper with an uncommon level of professionalism, and deep commitment to core principles of journalism; and
WHEREAS,
Al Dia
grew quickly in popularity, establishing itself as the most trusted source of news in the Latino Community. By 2000, the growing paper was able to move its offices to Center City; and
WHEREAS
, Al Dia
has transformed from humble beginnings into a premier news organization, recognized nationally for its coverage of Latino issues, and distinguished locally by its success in expanding the political discourse to include issues of importance to Philadelphia's Latino Community; and
WHEREAS,
Al Dia
has distinguished itself with coverage of immigration reform issues of national importance, with exceptional coverage of events in the Pennsylvania towns of Shenandoah and Hazelton, as well as mass immigration demonstrations in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Hernan's contributions have been recognized by his peers and he has served as a former president for the National Association of Hispanic Publications; and
WHEREAS, On August 8th of 2011
, Al Dia
was one of only five Spanish-language newspapers invited to the White House to interview President Barack Obama; and
WHEREAS,
Al Dia
has created the national Felix Varela Award, known as The Spanish Pulitzer Prize to recognize and support exceptional Spanish-language journalism; and
WHEREAS,
Al Dia
is by far, the leading Spanish-language newspaper in the region, providing the Latino Community with coverage of both local and national news, as well as coverage of news events in Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America; and
WHEREAS
,
Through its Latino Professional Network,
Al Dia
has expanded its role as a community forum to additionally promote the development of relationships among members and supporters of Philadelphia's Latino Community through popular networking events; and
WHEREAS,
Al Dia
has published its first book
, 200 Years of Latino History in Philadelphia
; and
WHEREAS, This 229-page book is divided into four sections: Our Shared History; Putting Down Roots: 1940-1980; Eye on the Community: 1980-1992;
Al Dia
: 20 Years, 1992 to Present; and
WHEREAS, The first section chronicles the arrivals of the first Latino settlers to Philadelphia, including Felix Varela, a Cuban priest and journalist who came to Philadelphia in the 1820s and founded the
El Habenero
newspaper; and
WHEREAS, Putting Down Roots documents in images, the Latino families who came over in the major wave of immigration to Philadelphia in the 1940s and made the City their home; and
WHEREAS, Eye of The Community depicts the photography of celebrated photojournalist David Cruz, as he captures images that chronicle the diverse aspects and events that make up Philadelphia Latino life in the 1980s and 1990s; and
WHEREAS,
Al Dia
: 20 Years captures the defining images of
Al Dia
's 20 years of coverage of Latino Community; and
WHEREAS, The 20th Anniversary of
Al Dia
and the publication of this historic book will be celebrated by a ceremony and gala event at the Constitution Center on November 17th , 2012 at 6 PM; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Council of THE City of Philadelphia, Recognizes the incredible achievements of the
Al Dia
newspaper, and its founder Hernan Guaracao. Your contributions to the Latino Community, Philadelphia, and the field of journalism have been truly exceptional. We wish you many years of continued success with both your paper and future publications.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That a Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Hernan Guaracao and
Al Dia
as a sincere expression of the appreciation of this body.
End