The Department of Civil Service hosted a celebration Sept. 26 in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. President Lyndon B. Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, and President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a monthlong celebration in 1988.
This year’s speakers included two PEF members: Mariana Gil, an associate in instructional services at the State Education Department’s Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages in Brooklyn, and Martin Larrosa, a business systems analyst at the New York State Insurance Fund in New York City.
Gil spoke on this year’s theme, “Together, we are more.” (“Unidos, somos más.”)
“This year’s theme is more than just a theme,” said Gil, a PEF member for two years. “It was a call to solidarity, unity and community commitment. Today, so many voices steer us toward individualism, urging us to care only about personal wealth and success. While individual goals have value, what we can achieve together as a community is far greater.”
Gil moved to the United States from Ecuador at age 12.
“When I reflect on the growth and advancement of our Hispanic community in the United States, I am filled with joy and pride in our contributions,” she said. “We are educators, public servants and business owners. We are brave union leaders, members of the military and visionaries who lead with purpose.”
“Together, we are more,” Gil said in closing. “More than ever, let us remember: Individually, we can accomplish so little, but united, we can achieve so much more for our families, our community and our society.”
Larrosa, a PEF member for nearly three years, attended the 2025 celebration, became involved in advocacy for his agency’s Hispanic community and was nominated by his colleagues.
“I witnessed firsthand the Department of Civil Service’s hard work to celebrate New York’s Hispanic community,” he said. “I have been working to improve communication with the Hispanic community at my agency.”
Larrosa said he was honored to read this year’s proclamation.
“It was one of the greatest honors of my tenure with NYSIF,” he said. “Reading those words to attendees, both in person and online, showed how the state celebrates our heritage, accomplishments and contributions to the place we call home.”
For Larrosa, his heritage is an integral part of his identity.
“Hispanic heritage is a beautiful thing,” he said. “People often assume that because we all speak Spanish, our roots, customs and ideals are the same. The opposite is true: Everyone does things a little differently.”
Larrosa said New York’s diversity has allowed him to appreciate other nationalities and share his own heritage.
“As someone born in Uruguay, I find that many people know little about us,” he said. “Sharing stories, fun facts and traditions brings me tremendous joy, as does learning about others.”
The PEF Statewide Hispanic Committee recognized Gil and Larrosa for participating in the program and representing PEF professionals and the Hispanic community.
“We are grateful for their work and their representation,” said Vivian Falto, chair of the committee.
View a recording of the program here. Larrosa’s remarks begin at 20:30. Gil’s remarks begin at 27:45.