My Awards

2014

  • IMPACTO Award - The Latina/o Law Students Association (LLSA)
  • Hispanic Heritage Award - Hispanic Heritage Foundation for support of STEM field careers
  • Silver Mouse Award -  Congressional Management Foundation
  • CAAL Congressional Champion Award- Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy
  • National Bankers Association Award-Exemplary Leadership and Strong Support of Minority Banks

 

 

2013

  • AFOP President's Award - Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs
  • 2013 Congressional Champion Award - The Corps Network
  • Geographic Education Champion - Texas Alliance for Geographic Education
  • Geography Educator of the Year - National Geographic Education Foundation
  • Distinguished Community Health Defender Award - National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. 

       

2012

  • Elected Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for the 113th Congress
  • Named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America - Hispanic Business Magazine
  • Financial Literacy Award - The National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys-Awarded to House Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus Co-Chairs  
  • Small Business Community Champion - Women's Business Center
  • Leadership Award - Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Commitment and Support - Texas Migrant Council
  • Legislative Leadership Award for work on MSI's - United States Students Association (USSA)
  • Leadership Award on Adult Literacy - Washington Literacy Council - Awarded to Co-Chairs of the House Adult Literacy Caucus
  • Champions for Children Award - First Focus Campaign for Children
  • Named to Hall of Honor - Teaching & Mentoring Communities     

2011

  • Friends of the National Parks - National Parks Conservation Association
  • Mr. Amigo - Amigos Del Valle
  • FESTIBA Border Heroes - 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

  • Named Chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee
  • 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/Financial Literacy for Students
  • 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
  • Financial Literacy Legislator of the Year - Native Financial Education Coalition

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 Education Service Center
  • President’s Award - National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC
  • Friend of the Border Award - Border Trade Alliance, Hidalgo, Texas
  • 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
  • Excellence in Education Award - LULAC, Washington, DC

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 BusinessMagazine

1994

  • Hispanic Man of the Year, Rio Grande Valley – Freedom Newspapers/The Monitor

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

1984

  • Completed 10th Year of Public Service as Elected Representative to the Texas State Board of Education (1974-1984)

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 - Texas Jaycees and Jacyee International Association Ambassador to South America

1978

  • Outstanding State Board of Education Member of the Year – Texas Association of Bilingual Education