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MISSION AND PURPOSE

Comité Noviembre’s mission is to commemorate and acknowledge all aspects of Puerto Rican life from the social and cultural to the educational, economic and political. The charge of Comité Noviembre is to create an awareness of the rich culture, language and heritage of the Puerto Rican community and to acknowledge its numerous contributions to this state and nation.

Established in 1987, Comité Noviembre…mes de la herencia puertorriqueña is the only collaboration of its kind in the United States that bring together the collective talents and resources of the oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican organizations: the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New York, the Association of Hispanic Arts, el Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, el Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, National Institute for Latino Policy, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund. This volunteer coordinating body plans and promotes Comité Noviembre’s annual programs and events.

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ANNUAL SPOKESPERSON

Each year, Comité Noviembre selects a spokesperson that is making a difference in this country, empowering others and shaping, not only our future as Puerto Ricans, but the future of all Americans. A person, that has played an important role in leaving, our unique imprint, in the current and future history of this country.

Our past spokespeople have been:

  • 1990 – Musician and AIDS activist Willie Colón 
  • 1991 – Radio talk show host Malin Falú 
  • 1992 – Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer 
               and New York City Public School Chancellor Dr. Joseph A. Fernandez 
  • 1993 – Former Surgeon General of the United States Antonia Novello 
  • 1994 – Actor and community activist Luis Guzman 
  • 1995 – Actress Lauren Velez; and salsa diva India 
  • 1996 – Actor Jimmy Smits 
  • 1997 – The "King of Latin Music" Tito Puente 
  • 1998 – Actress and AIDS activist Rosie Perez 
  • 1999 – Welter Weight Champion of the World Felix "Tito” Trinidad 
  • 2000 – Internationally acclaimed Latin Jazz artist Dave Valentin 
  • 2001 – NYPD officer and tenor Daniel Rodriguez 
  • 2002 – Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, US Surgeon General Commander, USPHS 
  • 2003 – World renown singer Danny Rivera 
  • 2004 – Salsa sensation Tito Nieves 
  • 2005 – Singer and entertainer Frankie Negron.
  • 2006 – Chef, entrepreneur, host of Daisy Cooks, Daisy Martinez
  • 2007 – Star of TV show Ugly Betty, Ana Ortiz. 

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THEME DEVELOPMENT

The annual theme is developed with the understanding that beyond celebrating our heritage, it must help to motivate, mobilize and empower our community around critical concerns.

This year’s theme: Live your Culture…!Vive Boricua!, challenges us to take ownership of our culture and heritage.  Being Puerto Rican is not just on special days, or months, but every day of our lives.  Everyday as a community, we contribute to the fabric of this city, state and nation. The theme addresses the importance of our achievements as a community and the impact it has had and will continue to have on society. The theme seeks to challenge us to learn about our pioneers, feel proud of who we are and where we come from and commit ourselves to promote and teach others about our culture, traditions, heroes and the great contributions Puerto Ricans have made to this country.

  • 1987 – "Building on Our Heritage to Create the Future…Our Children Our Youth”
    "Desarrollando Nuestra Herencia Creando Nuestro Futuro…Nuestros Niños y Juventud” 
  • 1988 – "Empowerment…From the Shadows to the Light” - "De las Sombras al Poder” 
  • 1989 – "Si No Nos Cuentan…No Contamos…Count On Us!” 
  • 1990 – "From the Homeland to the Mainland…Los Lasos que nos Unen” 
  • 1991 – "La Mujer Puertorriqueña La Verdadera Borinqueña… 
    Asumiendo Nuestra Historia Tomando Liderazgo en los 90” 
  • 1992 – "Encounters of the Past…Our Determination to Shape the Future” 
    "Encuentros del Pasado…Nuestra Determinación Para Forjar el Futuro” 
  • 1993 – "Reconquista ’93: Affirming Our Identity…Preserving Our Community.” 
  • 1994 – "Nuestro Poder Puertorriqueño: Usalo! Define Nuestro Destino
    "The Puerto Rican Renaissance: The Spirit of Commitment…The Power of Action. Live It!” 
  • 1995 – "United, Moving Forward…The Future is Ours”
    "Unidos, Adalante…El Futuro Esta en Nuestras Manos” 
  • 1996 – "In the Mix: Voices that Affirm Our Vibrant Heritage”
    "Voces Que Afirman Nuestra Herencia Dinámica” 
  • 1997 – "Puerto Ricans Confronting the Challenges of a Changing World” 
  • 1998 – "Puerto Ricans for a New Millennium ... Facing the Dawn of a New Age” 
  • 1999 – "Understanding Our Past…Defining Our Future – 
    "Entendiendo Nuestro Pasado… Creamos Nuestro Futuro” 
  • 2000 – "Puerto Ricans United for World Peace…Puertorriqueños Unidos Para la Paz Mundial” 
  • 2001 – "Salud Boricua” 
  • 2003 – "Nuestra herencia cultural el camino al futuro…Our cultural heritage, the path to the future” 
  • 2004 – "Preserving our Legacy…Cultural Affirmation, Community Empowerment & Social Justice” 
  • 2005 – "Boricua! Atesora lo tuyo…Boricua! Treasure what is yours”
  • 2006 –  "Celebrando con Orgullo Nuestra Cultura...Hoy, Mañana y Siempre"
  • 2007 –  "Encuentro Con Nuestra Patria "

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