Latino USA Broadcasts Special Series for Hispanic Heritage Month

Austin, TX. In 1999, with the megapopularity of singers Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Shakira, the nation is once again focusing on the cultural contributions of Latinos to this country. Latino USA, the nation's only English-language weekly radio journal from a Hispanic perspective, has been consistently portraying the many facets of Latino reality every single week for the last six years. For September and October, Latino USA is proud to continue that tradition with four special programs that commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month.

The series illuminates the culture and history of the estimated 30 million Latinos living in the United States today.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15 coinciding with independence day celebrations in a number of Latin American countries. It is also a time to recognize the contributions of this country's growing Latino population.

Latino USA begins the series, which is available September 17 via satellite, with a special program entitled "Common Ground: Latinos, Filipinos and Native Americans." The segment will focus on the unique and historical relationships between Latinos and Native Americans in New Mexico, and the Filipino community.

"Latino Parenting" is the focus of the second Latino USA special which will include a look at the state of Latino children today; an interview with Dr. Gloria Rodriguez, author of the book "Raising Nuestros Niños, Bringing Up Latino Children in a Bicultural World", a report on a unique program in Los Angeles that teaches parenting skills to young fathers; and childhood lullabies. This program will be available via satellite September 24.

The third program, "Cross-Cultural Youth," will examine how Latino youth incorporate aspects of other cultures, particularly African-American, to express themselves. The program also includes an interview with members of the musical group Union 13, about growing up in the projects and finding hope through the raucous and potent sounds of punk-rock. Latino USA makes this program available via satellite on October 1.

The last program in the series, "Living Legends of Latino Music," will profile the maestro of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mongo Santamaria, the Puerto Rican king of the timbales, Tito Puente, and singer and composer Lydia Mendoza, the first queen of Tejano music. The program will be made available via satellite October 8.

Celebrating six years of award-winning programs, Latino USA is distributed by National Public Radio® and can be heard on 183 stations nationwide. Topics covered by the program aim to educate audiences about issues affecting Latinos, foster cross-cultural understanding, enhance relationships among Latino communities, and highlight the richness of Latino cultural and artistic expressions. Latino USA is a production partnership of the Center for Mexican American Studies and KUT Radio at the University of Texas at Austin. For more information about Latino USA, call (512) 475-6767 or call your local NPR radio station.