My Awards

2011

  • Friends of the National Parks - National Parks Conservation Association
  • Mr. Amigos - Amigos Del Valle
  • FESTIBA Border Heros - University of Texas Pan-American
  • Award - Edinburg CISD and Business Professionals of America

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 Association 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 Association
  • 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

  • Advocate Award for Making the Difference in Support of Financial Literacy - National Foundation of Credit Counseling
  • 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
  • Award - Health Occupations Students of America

2006

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

2005

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

2004

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

2003

  • Cesar Chavez Social Justice Award - Georgetown University
  • HerMANO Award - MANA
  • Award - American Diabetes Association

2002

  • National Director’s Appreciation Award - Minority Enterprise Development
  • Award - National Council for Community and Education Partnerships

2001

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

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

  • Outstanding Leadership Award - Hispanic Education Coalition
  • Leadership Award - American Association for Higher Education
  • Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award - Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
  • Achievement Award - National Farmers Union
  • Outstanding Leadership Award – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
  • Outstanding Service Award – American/Texas Farm Bureau
  • Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award - US Postal Service
  • Support for Small Business Award – Valley Procurement Technical Assistance Center
  • Recognition for Dedicated Service on Behalf of Students Participating in Child Nutrition Programs - Texas School Food Service Association
  • Award for Outstanding Support during the 1998 Campaign - Special Olympics

1997

  • Appreciation Award – 7th Annual Hidalgo Urban County Conference
  • Appreciation Award - Texas Migrant Council Head Start
  • Appreciation Award – UTB/TSC-VPTAC

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 of 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