Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Robert Garcia, first Latino member of Congress

Robert Garcia, born December 2, 1977 in Lima, Peru, is the first fully Latino and LGBT member of US Congress.  He immigrated to the US with his mother at the age of 5.  He attended California State University, Long Beach and later got his master's Degree at University of Southern California.

In 2009, he was elected to the Long Beach City Council.  In 2012, he was unanimously elected to Vice Mayor of Long Beach, becoming the first Latino Vice Mayor and youngest in Long Beach's history. 

Garcia ran for mayor in 2015 and was reelected in April 2018. 

He announced his candidacy for California's 42nd congressional district in the US House of Representatives. 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: José Ferrer, first Latino to win an Academy Award

Jose Ferrer, born January 8, 1912 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award.  He won the honor for Best Actor in a Leading Role, for his role in Cyrano de Bergerac March 29, 1951.  He was nominated two more times for an Academy Award:  once for Best Actor in a Leading Role in Moulin Rouge (1953), and Best Supporting Actor in Joan of Arc (1949).

His nephew is George Clooney.