“I am honoring Humberto Oriel Cardenas, who recently died. He was a community leader and veteran in southwest Detroit who supported our Mexican culture and helped start our local Cinco de Mayo parade.”

“Mr. Speaker, Humberto Oriel Cardenas was a southwest Detroit icon, and it is with a heavy heart that we say good-bye. Beto, as we lovingly called him, dedicated his life to our community in southwest Detroit. He loved our neighborhood and created a lasting legacy. Beto started a long-running tradition of showing up to the Cinco de Mayo parade, which I remember attending as a young girl growing up in southwest Detroit. To this day, the parade that he helped found celebrates Mexican community and heritage. Beto showed us the beauty in our diversity through his love for culture and community. He helped found La Vida magazine that amplified stories about Detroit’s Hispanic community. He also founded the Mexican-American Association of Detroit, which brought together several Mexican musical and dance groups. He was a proud Army veteran, involved in our church, and loved by his family and our community. We will continue to honor his legacy by remembering that our strength is in our diversity.”