The Lehigh Valley saw visits by national, state and local politicians Oct. 13 in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

First to arrive was U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, the first Latino to hold the position. Becerra’s first stop was at Health Center of Allentown, where he met with U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild, D-7th. Melissa Miranda, CEO of Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley, acted as the tour guide for the entourage as they visited the different services available at the center.

Becerra and Wild then met with staff of the health center to discuss their areas of care. An important topic of discussion was the use of telemedicine to reach patients who, either due to disability or distance, are not able to physically travel to the health center. Becerra and Wild stated their support for the use of telemedicine to reach these vulnerable clients.

Following the tour of the health center, Becerra and Wild traveled to Children’s Learning Hub in Allentown, where they met with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.

As an educator, Biden is keenly interested in the opportunities presented to inner-city children that Children’s Learning Hub provides. After observing several children’s programs, Biden, Wolf, Becerra and Wild met with members of the Lehigh Valley Hispanic community to learn from their experiences in the area.

The Children’s Learning Hub is a Head Start center providing education to preschool children in Allentown.