Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds,16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg
As prepared
Good afternoon and thank you for joining us here today!
Mayor of San Salvador, Nayib Bukele, I also want to welcome you to Montgomery County!
We are here to celebrate the 11thAnnual Salvadoran Day and the 195th anniversary of El Salvador’s independence from Spain on September 15th, 1821.
Coincidentally, or perhaps by providence, the 15th of September is also the start of Hispanic Heritage appreciation month when we further recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.
Today, we also celebrate the numerous contributions made by Salvadorans throughout the United States; and the Salvadoran-American community here in Montgomery County.
We, in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area, are the second largest Salvadoran community after Los Angeles! The Salvadoran community represents more than 70,000 residents and contributes to the sustained growth of the County's economic and multicultural fabric.
It’s just one of the many important reasons why we have an excellent Sister Cities program with Morazán, El Salvador.
We have a special and strong connection to the Salvadoran community; and I am honored to be here to help celebrate this day with all of you. Thank you for attending and supporting this great event! Thank you to the organizers of this great event!