BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The City of Bethlehem and its Latino Advisory Council announced Thursday its intention to soon join forces with a location in Puerto Rico for a sister city partnership.
The groups, alongside other community members, gathered at the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley for snacks, surveys and smiles before sharing the news.
- The city of Bethlehem is aiming to become a sister city with a location in Puerto Rico
- Officials are encouraging residents to fill out the interest survey available until April 30
- The partnership will lead to mutual advancements in culture, tourism, business, trade and mutual aid, officials said
Janine Carambot Santoro, the city’s director of equity and inclusion, opened the event, speaking on the efforts of the Latino Advisory Council in the process so far.
“And each of those sister cities has a relationship that honors the history and the traditions of both Bethlehem and those countries. And we’re looking to do the same thing in Puerto Rico.”Janine Carambot Santoro, director of equity and inclusion for the city of Bethlehem
“So it should be noted that we have five other beautiful sister cities in Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Germany and Japan,” Santoro said. “And each of those sister cities has a relationship that honors the history and the traditions of both Bethlehem and those countries.
“And we’re looking to do the same thing in Puerto Rico.”
Benefitting the community
Olga Negrón, Bethlehem City Council’s first elected Latina member, spoke next, saying that Puerto Rican community members were crucial in the development of the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.
Negrón said she was excited about the possibilities of what could come about by enacting a new sister city agreement.
“I think about the opportunities that we will have to perhaps bring some individuals from Bethlehem to Puerto Rico and bring some people from Puerto Rico to Bethlehem,” Negrón said. “So culturally, there’s so much to learn.
“We all, as a community, could be better allies, and to do a better job with what we’re doing.”
City Council President Michael Colón shared the story of his grandfather, who came to Bethlehem from Salinas, Puerto Rico. Colón said his grandfather and grandmother made their way here in search of opportunity.
The city could reach new heights if residents filled out the survey and shared their interest in a potential location with which to partner in Puerto Rico, Colón said.
“It’s an opportunity to further that bond between Bethlehem and the island,” he said.
“And it’s going to be up to us as a community, to our families, our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers to fill out the survey — whether it’s taking the time to fill out a paper survey, do it on our phone, doing it on our computers, helping someone do it — so that we can get as much information as possible.”
'Brightness in the future'
Guillermo Lopez—founder of the Guillermo Lopez DEI Institute, member of the HCLV Board and a former Bethlehem Steel employee—said he came from a generation who chose not to “make too much noise.”
"Whether you are Puerto Rican or not, remember that Bethlehem is a diverse community. And this is an opportunity to make new friends, learn about cultures and embrace our relationship with Puerto Rico."Eric Fontanez, BASD supervisor of equity initiatives
He added that generations following have chosen a different path by holding institutions accountable and prioritizing a brighter future for its people.
“I have learned to look at [life] in the way that it was originally meant to be, that when the Moravians came here they partnered with indigenous people, encouraging side by side,” Lopez said.
“That gives me a thought that there’s brightness in the future with how it is that we accept it.”
Eric Fontanez, Bethlehem Area School District's supervisor of equity initiatives, spoke last, sharing that the time is now to make this partnership happen.
And the numbers speak for themselves, Fontanez said:
- Pennsylvania has surpassed 1 million Latino people, making it the fastest growing ethnic group
- The population of Bethlehem is about 30% Latino, and its school district is 46% Latino
- Bethlehem, Allentown, Easton, Reading, Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Harrisburg, Gettysburg and other surrounding areas are home to more than half of the state’s Latino population.
Benefitting the community
“Having a sister city in Puerto Rico will inspire our youth and hold lots of possibilities, such as cultural, business and educational opportunities,” Fontanez said.
“Whether you are Puerto Rican or not, remember that Bethlehem is a diverse community. And this is an opportunity to make new friends, learn about cultures and embrace our relationship with Puerto Rico.”
Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said the idea behind these partnerships is not just to recognize other cultures, but also celebrate them.
“Those sister city relationships that we’ve had over the years in the city of Bethlehem, they’ve added to the cultural experience of our residents, of what it means to be part of our community,” Reynolds said.
“And there is no better sister city experience for us to have than to have with a to-be-determined city in Puerto Rico.”
He said being proud of the Moravian culture is common in Bethlehem, but there are even more local stories to be told and recognized to keep the city progressing forward.
'About taking the first step'
The process “is about taking the first step and establishing that relationship, and making sure that we are proud and we are celebrating that Puerto Rican heritage and also coming up with ways that we can just add to those cultural exchanges and cultural connections,” the mayor explained.
“Because, as we like to say, we are building a city for everyone, and that means honoring everybody’s stories and looking at what we share and what we can do together moving into the future.”J. William Reynolds, Bethlehem mayor
“Because, as we like to say, we are building a city for everyone, and that means honoring everybody’s stories and looking at what we share and what we can do together moving into the future.”
Santoro closed the event, explaining that the movement to a partnership is to honor the legacies of those who migrated from the island to work at Bethlehem Steel, founded HCLV and the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society, those who were pioneers in voting, the 65th Infantry Regiment of Puerto Rican soldiers who served in both World Wars and the Korean War, the city council president and local artists and residents alike.
How to get involved, what's next
The survey will be available until April 30 at https://webuild.bethlehem-pa.gov.
On May 31, everyone is invited to HCLV to eat Puerto Rican food and hear the survey results.
The mayor’s office plans to connect with the recommended sister city following the results of the survey. If there’s an agreement made, there will be an official announcement and celebration.
