El Pomar names inductee to Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage Room

El Pomar Foundation Trustees today announced that Colorado Senator Casimiro Barela will be inducted into the Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage Room at Penrose House at 4 pm on Sep 16. Senator Barela was chosen from a select group of past Hispanic civic leaders for his outstanding contributions and service to Southern Colorado. Senator Barela is the first leader chosen by the Selection Committee for this honor.

“El Pomar Foundation Trustees are proud to recognize Casimiro Barela as the first inductee in the Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage Room,” said William J. Hybl, El Pomar Foundation Chairman and CEO. “Senator Barela was an advocate for equality and dedicated his life to civil service. We are pleased to help preserve the memory of his many contributions to Southern Colorado.”

As a member of the Colorado Constitutional Convention in 1875, Barela ensured that the new laws were written in English, Spanish, and German. Barela served as Las Animas County Assessor and Sheriff, and as a Colorado State Senator for 37 years. Senator Barela’s legacy will be memorialized in a permanent display in the Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage Room at Penrose House, 1661 Mesa Avenue.

The Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage Room is dedicated to preserving and documenting the contributions of African-American, Asian, Latino/Hispanic, and Native American individuals from Southern Colorado. One deceased ethnic minority leader will be recommended every year by representatives of Emerging Leaders Program in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

The Cultural Heritage Room pays tribute to Reverend Milton E. Proby’s example of civic involvement and fellowship across cultural boundaries. Rev. Proby was one of the first civil rights leaders to have profound influence in the campaign for equality in Southern Colorado. Those inducted into the Cultural Heritage Room shared the values and vision of Rev. Proby.

Members of the Barela family will be in attendance to celebrate the occasion.

Representatives of Emerging Leaders Program will also attend the ceremony. The Emerging Leaders Program was established by El Pomar Foundation in 2001 to help develop the wealth of diverse leadership within Southern Colorado.

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