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