HOLYOKE -- They raised their rights hands at City Hall today and made history.

Upon taking the oath of office in the inauguration ceremony, Jossie M. Valentin, Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Nelson R. Roman and Juan C. Anderson-Burgos established the 2018-2019 City Council as the first in this city that is roughly half Latino to have that many Latino members elected at once.

The previous City Council had four Latinos, with Councilor at Large Diosdado Lopez joining Valentin, Lebron-Martinez and Roman, but Lopez had been appointed in 2016 to fill a vacancy.

What it means is that more of Holyoke will feel it has more of a voice in City Hall than in the past, the Latino councilors said:

Jossie M. Valentin, Ward 4 Councilor:

"This is the first time in Holyoke's history that four Puerto Ricans are elected to this body by the voters of Holyoke, a city that is now 50 percent Latinx," Valentin said in a text message, using a gender-neutral term for Hispanic people. "Four of the seven Ward councilors are not only Puerto Rican, but also Spanish-speaking. This is huge not only in terms of representation, but also the fact that Holyoke residents can now have more access to their elected officials especially in cases where language may have been a barrier in the past. I look forward to serving with all of my colleagues in this next term."

Juan C. Anderson-Burgos, newly elected Ward 6 Councilor:

"The people of Holyoke, of any community, elect their leaders to represent them. When the people of our city look at those representing them on City Council, I think it's important that many in our community see that their government is a reflection of who they are. That means having their values, their goals and their experiences reflected back at them. More Latino representation on our City Council means more of our community will see that reflection. I didn't have that growing up here, and it shaped how welcome I felt in the community I grew up in. I'm hopeful that everyone who lives here feels welcome here and feels encouraged to contribute to its future successes."

Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Ward 1 Councilor:

"It is an honor to represent the people of Ward 1. My hope is that as Latino councilors we can continue to serve the under-served and be a voice for Latinx as leaders, particularly our younger generation who will carry the torch for us. I also relish in the opportunity to teach my grandchildren that with hard work and integrity, anything is possible for them."

Nelson R. Roman, Ward 2 Councilor:

"It is an honor and privilege to serve in this historic moment. Serving with three other elected Latino/Puerto Rican city councilors, two of whom are women and three of whom are LGBT, this is a time of change in Holyoke. As we continue to drive to further diversify the Council we must strive to elect ... Latinx councilors at large and strive to have a Council that is 100 percent reflective of the community in which we live. (50 percent Latinx)."