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Hispanics have a long, rich history and presence
in the United States.
Many people forget that Spanish settlements
were established within the territorial United States
long before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth,
or even before Jamestown was settled in 1607.
Hispanics have had a profound and positive
influence on our country through their strong commitment
to family, faith, culture, hard work and service.
Hispanics are also undeniably American.
Patriotism and a dedication to serve our country
is evident in our own Hispanic employees at the USPTO.
When I joined the USPTO 27 years ago,
I was one of only a handful of Hispanic professionals
at the agency.
Today, we are hundreds,
contributing to the USPTO's mission.
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JUAN: The Hispanic community at the USPTO is very generous.
It's very giving. And it's a loyal community.
If you need something, you know,
they're going to go out of their way to get it for you.
I know these people are going to be
some of the best friends that I have in life,
you know, forever.
A lot of brilliant people are working here,
and the Hispanic community here is very supportive
of each other.
Hispanic community, to me, is always synonymous with family.
Once I got here, I met a bunch of Hispanics,
and it just felt like I had a piece of home
and a piece of my family here.
BELIX: It was easy moving from Puerto Rico to here,
just because I have friends here in the office.
BELIX: Yes, you miss your family, because it's your family,
but here you create a second family.
They are like my brothers and my sisters.
KEYLA: It's just key in every aspect of your work
to have your community support you and be there for you,
for whatever needs you might have.
When I first got here, I met a young Hispanic man
who was so dedicated and insistent on
building a mentoring program for new Hispanics
who were coming to the area so that they felt comfortable.
I not only helped him, but I joined him in the effort.
JUAN: I was a founding member of SHPE-PTO,
the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
When I first started, there wasn't really a formal place
where people could go to seek help,
and kind of we created that with SHPE.
NESTOR: SHPE is important because it's a support organization.
Not only do they have a lot of community outreach activities,
but when you come here from out of town, from a different city,
from a different state,
you instantaneously have somebody that you can relate to.
And for Hispanics, that's very important.
BELIX: Once they move here, I will meet with them
and organize a dinner just so they get to know each other
before starting the academy here in the office.
Help them to feel like they're not alone.
KEYLA: It's like a little network.
Everybody was calling everybody.
I know somebody I knew in Puerto Rico
that works over in trademark.
Everybody just quickly connected me to other Hispanics
in the agency.
JAMES: I think our office is, overall, very interested
in a diverse workforce,
and so I think the office is actively trying to recruit
the best candidates from all kinds of backgrounds.
JUAN: I have a passion for outreach.
I have a passion for helping the community.
As president of SHPE currently, my goal,
my drive is to help others succeed
and to help people get better.
JUAN: I love going into schools.
I love working with the community.
But at the same time,
we've got to bring it home here at the PTO
and help those new examiners, you know, not only get retained,
but eventually become primaries and then supervisors as well.
ROSEMARY: I just see such value helping people grow.
That's what I find very rewarding,
is that I'm able to help people.
KEYLA: The agency invests so much in their employees
that you do feel like if you have the guts,
if you have the dedication to just give it your all,
this agency's going to respond to that.
JUAN: Around 2004 to 2006 or '7, there was a large increase
in Hispanic employment here at the PTO,
and out of that batch, that hiring, during those years have
a really dedicated, motivated drive in those individuals.
JUAN: SHPE gave leadership opportunities
where they might not have existed beforehand,
so those individuals who had that drive and had that will --
it gave them an avenue to kind of gain exposure,
gain experience, take leadership roles.
KEYLA: There is so much opportunity for growth if you want to move up,
be a supervisor.
If you want to participate in policy development,
you can do it, and they do recognize that in you.
ROSEMARY: Management of the agency realizes that
the world is such a diverse place, and we need to glean
the best from every culture.
JUAN: Especially with our current group of supervisors,
they really have a strong will to succeed,
and they're dedicated.
I just see a bright future for Hispanics here at the PTO.
During National Hispanic Heritage Month,
we recognize the contributions
made by Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States.
The Hispanic population has had a significant role
in our nation's history
and will have an even greater role in shaping its future.
Here at the USPTO, organizations such as
the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
are active in promoting professional growth
and community involvement.
With an emerging new generation of Hispanics
taking more leadership roles within the agency
and opening doors for others to follow,
the USPTO serves as a great example of the benefits
of diversity for our community and the nation.
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