My Awards
2007
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1995
1994
1993
1991
1989
1987
1983
1982
1978
2007
- Inspira Award Hispanic Heritage Foundation
- Honored at 10th Anniversary Dinner - Women in Housing Foundation
- National Legislative Award - LULAC
- Friend of Rural Housing - Housing Assistance Council
- Friend of College Access - National Association of College Admissions Counselors
- 2008 Literacy Leadership Award National Coalition for Literacy
- Champion of Runaway and Homeless Youth Award National Network for Youth
- LEAD ON Award - National Rehabilitation Association
- 2008 Distinguished Community Health Defender Award National Association of Community Health Centers
2007
- Making the Difference in Support of Financial Literacy National Foundation of Credit Counseling Advocate Award
- Public Service Award American Chemical Society
- A Place to Call Home Award National Network for Youth
- Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame
- Spirit of Enterprise Award US Chamber of Commerce
- Health Occupations Students of America Award
- Lifelong Leadership Award Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
2006
- Federal Legislator Award Jump$tart
- Golden Meal Award Meals on Wheels
- Leadership Award Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Health Occupation Student Association Award
- Adam Smith Medal of Distinction National Council of Economic Education
- Clay Cochran Award for Distinguished Service in Housing for the Rural Poor Housing Assistance Council
- MANA of Hidalgo County Award
- Distinguished Citizen Award Rio Grande Council Boy Scouts Club of America
- Presidents Award of Honor University of Texas Pan American
- Housing Leadership Award National Low Income Housing Coalition
- Champion in Financial Education Award Freddie Mac
- Financial Literacy Legislator of the Year Native Financial Education Coalition
2005
- Brighter Vision Award for Support of Visual Health Seniors Coalition
- Partnership Award National Association of Development Organizations
- Outstanding Support of the Stock Market Game Program Award Foundation for Investor Education and the Securities Industry Association
- Leadership Award HEP CAMP Association
- Teach Children to Save Day Award American Bankers Association
- Spirit of Enterprise Award US Chamber of Commerce
2004
- Award for Outstanding Commitment to Fighting Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking The Century Council
- Reaching Beyond Excellence Sharyland ISD Education Foundation
- Leadership Award Higher Education Consortium for Special Education
- Save Americorps Recognition Award Americorps
- National Award for Education Milkin
2003
- Cesar Chavez Social Justice Award Georgetown University
- HerMANO Award MANA
- American Diabetes Association Award
- Rub้n Hinojosa Elementary School Sharyland, TX
2002
- National Directors Appreciation Award Minority Enterprise Development
- Partnership Award National Council for Community Education
- Rub้n Hinojosa Highway - former US Highway 88, Hidalgo County, TX
- Rub้n Hinojosa Industrial Park former City of Elsa Industrial Park
- National Leadership Award Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Rub้n Hinojosa Elementary School Mercedes, TX
- Legislator of the Year Award Texas School Food Services Association
2001
- Presidents Award National Council of La Raza
- Friend of the Border Award Border Trade Alliance
- Leadership Award Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Lifetime Achievement Award Mercedes (TX) Area Chamber of Commerce
- Champion for Education Award Region One Education Service Center and the University of Texas-Pan American
- Mercedes Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award
2000
- Improving the Level of Education Within the Hispanic Community Award Puerto Ricos Ana G. Mendez University System
- Guardian of Education Award Association of Texas Professional Educators
- Champion of Hispanic Success in Higher Education Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
- Outstanding Leadership in Promoting Regional Economic Development National Association of Development Organizations
1999
- Named one of 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the US Hispanic Business Magazine
- Golden Eagle Award McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Notable Valley Hispanic Honoree University of Texas Pan American
- Minority Business Advocate of the Year South Texas Minority Business Development Agency
- Friend of the National Parks Award National Parks & Conservation Association
- National Minority Advocate of the Year US Chamber of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency
- Legislator of the Month South Texas Community College
- Spirit of Commitment Award Hispanic Employee Association of AT&T;
- Annual Champion for Children Award HOSTS Corporation, Dallas, TX
1998
- Leadership Award American Association for Higher Education
- Expanding Educational Opportunities Award Hispanic Education Coalition
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
- Outstanding Leadership Award Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Outstanding Service Award American/Texas Farm Bureau
- Support for Small Business Award Valley Procurement Technical Assistance Center
- Recognition for Dedicated Service on Behalf of Students Participating in Child Nutrition Programs by the Texas School Food Service Association
- Recognition for Dedicated Service on Behalf of Students Participating In Child Nutrition Programs Texas School Food Service Association
1997
- Appreciation Award 7th Annual Hidalgo Urban County Conference
- Appreciation Award Texas Migrant Council Head Start Program
1995
- Lifetime Achievement Award Hispanic Magazine
- Excellence in Public Service Award Excellence in Public Service Award
1994
- Hispanic Man of the Year, Rio Grande Valley Freedom Newspapers
1993
- Entrepreneur of the Year, Finalist Ernst & Young, Merrill Lynch and The Business Journal-San Antonio, TX
- Distinguished Alumnus University of Texas Pan American
1991
- Man of the Year Award Mercedes (TX) Chamber of Commerce
- Special Distinction Award of Entrepreneurship Texas Migrant Council Head Start ProgramUniversity of Texas Pan American
1989
- Honoree Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Business and Education Hispanic Salute 89, Ford Hispanic Marketing Division Edinburg, TX
1987
- Minority Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award US Small Business Administration; White House Presentation by President Reagan And SBA National Administrator
1983
- Minority Business Entrepreneur o the Year National Award US Department of Commerce; White House presentation by President Reagan and Vice President Bush
1982
- JCI Senator
1978
- Outstanding State Board of Education Member of the Year Texas Association of Bilingual Education