My Awards

2010

Distinguished Service Award – Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation
Legislative Award – Texas Rehabilitation Associatiion
Distinguished Leadership Award - National Council for Community and Education Partnerships in GEAR-UP
White Hat Legislative Award -- Texas Farmers Union
Legislator of the Year Award - American Associatiion of Hispanics in Higher Education
Service Award in Education - Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

2009

Leadership Division Trailblazer Award – Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Leadership Award – Texas Rehabilitation Associatiion
Congressional Hispanic Hero – Hispanic College Fund

2008

Benefactor Award – University of Texas Pan American
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

National Foundation of Credit Counseling Advocate Award for Making the Difference in Support of Financial Literacy
American Chemical Society Public Service Award
A Place to Call Home Award by the National Network for Youth
Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame
US Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award
Health Occupations Students of America Award

2006

Jump$tart Federal Legislator Award
Meals on Wheels Golden Meal Award
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
Health Occupation Student Association Award
NCEE’s Adam Smith Medal of Distinction
Housing Assistance Council Clay Cochran Award for Distinguished Service in Housing for the Rural Poor
MANA of Hidalgo County Award
Distinguished Citizen Award from the Rio Grande Council Boy Scouts Club of America
President’s Award of Honor – University of Texas Pan American
National Low Income Housing Coalition Housing Leadership Award
Freddie Mac Award for Champion in Financial Education
Native Financial Education Coalition – Financial Literacy Legislator of the Year

2005

Brighter Vision Award for Support of Visual Health
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
Outstanding Support of the Stock Market Game Program Award by the Foundation for Investor Education and the Securities Industry Association
HEP CAMP Association Leadership Award
American Bankers Association Award for Teach Children to Save Day
Spirit of Enterprise Award, US Chamber of Commerce

2004

The Century Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Fight Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking
Reaching Beyond Excellence by Sharyland ISD Education Foundation
Higher Education Consortium for Special Education Leadership Award
Save Americorps Recognition Award
Milkin National Education Award for Education

2003

2002

2001

TX Migrant Council Head Start Award
Region One Service Center Champion of Education Award
National Council of La Raza President’s Award
Border Trade Alliance Friend of the Border Award
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
Mercedes Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award
Hispanic Education Coalition Outstanding Leadership Award

2000

Improving the Level of Education Within the Hispanic Community Award – Puerto Rico’s Ana G. Mendez University System
Guardian of Education Award – Association of Texas Professional Educators
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
Outstanding Leadership in Promoting Regional Economic Development – National Association of Development Organizations Congressional Partnership
LULAC Excellence in Education Award

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
Friends 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
Dallas Annual Champion for Children Award – HOSTS Corporation, Dallas, TX

1998

Hispanic Education Coalition Outstanding Leadership Award
American Association for Higher Education Leadership Award
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
National Farmers Union Achievement Award
Outstanding Leadership Award – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Outstanding Service Award – American/Texas Farm Bureau
US Postal Service Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award
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
Special Olympics Award for Outstanding Support during the 1998 Campaign

1997

1995

1994

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