My Awards and Achievements

 2016

  • 2016 Community College National Education Service Award - American Association of Community Colleges 
  • Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) Recognition Award - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  • 2016 Distinguished Community Health Advocate - National Association of Community Health Centers
  • 2016 Spirit of Enterprise Award - U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • 2016 Outstanding Services to Libraries Award - Texas Library Association (TLA)
  • 2016- “Golden Molcajete ”award and “La Campana” award from the Mexican American School Boards Association (MASBA)
  • 2016 Distinguished Recognition for being a Champion in Education - The City of Mercedes
  • 2016 Latino Leaders Magazine's Top 101 List of the most influential Latino leaders in America 
  • 2016 Region One Education Service Center – Token of Appreciation Honor, For 20 years of steadfast support and leadership in education at the National level
  • 2016 Duval County Appreciation Plaque - For 20 years of congressional service to District 15
  • 2016 Induction to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Hall of Champions - Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
  • 2016 James G. O'Hara Award - Committee for Education Funding (CEF), For appreciation of lifelong commitment in support of education
  • 2016 Literacy Leadership Awards Recognition - National Coalition for Literacy. Special thank you for lifetime of public service and strong support for adult education.
  • 2016 CiENCiA Award - Champions of Engineering & Science Advancement (CiENCiA), Recognized by UTRGV and HESTEC for 15 years of service to HESTEC and the extraordinary legacy created
  • 2016 Service Award - La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), Founded by César E. Chávez, in appreciation for 20 years of service to the Farm Work Movement.
  • 2016 Congressman  Rubén Hinojosa Day Proclamation, October 19, 2016 - IDEA McAllen College Prep School, in recognition for 20 years of service to the Rio Grande Valley wheras designating October 19, 2016 as Congressman Rubén Hinojosa Day. 
  • 2016 National Association of Hispanic Publishers Recognition - National Association of Hispanic Publishers (NAHP), a sincere thank you for 20 years of service to Latinos nationwide and support of Hispanic print

 

 

 2015

  • Friend of the National Parks Award - National Parks Conservation Association 
  • IMPACTO Award -  Maryland Carey Law's Latina/o Law Students Association (LLSA)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award - The McAllen Boys and Girls Club
  • Lifetime Achievement Award - Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
  • Public Policy Leadership Award - National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE)
  • RIF Book Champion Award - Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
  • CHCI Board Chair Award - Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
  • Job Corps Award - National Job Corps Association
  • National Rural Self-Help Housing Recognition Award - National Rural Housing Coalition and the National Rural Self Help Housing Association
  • 2015 Latino Leaders Magazine's Top 101 List of the most influential Latino leaders in America 

 

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
  • 2014 Latino Leaders Magazine's Top 101 List of the most influential Latino leaders in America 

 

 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.
  • The Alliance for I-69, I-2, Texas - Instrumental in the Interstate Texas 69 Central, Interstate Texas 2, and Interstate Texas 69E designation for the Rio Grande Valley.
  • Deep South Texas Financial Literacy Alliance - Formed the Deep South Texas Financial Literacy Alliance along with Region One ESC to increase the financial literacy awareness of families in Deep South Texas

 

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 Association
  • 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
  • Million dollar federal investment- $1,000,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. DOC) for the Bee Development Authority to be used for renovations and construction at the former Chase Naval Air Station (Chase Field) in Beeville, Texas.
  • 2010- Donna International Bridge, Opening Ceremony
  • Mercedes Floodway Levee Improvements - secured $300 million in federal funding over a 5 year span to reinforce levees to prevent flooding from majory storms. 

 

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
  • South Texas Literacy Coalition – Founded the South Texas Literacy Coalition (STLC) in order to enhance and enrich the quality of life for Deep South Texas through reading literacy. 

 

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
  • Founder - 1st annual Hispanic, Engineering, Science, and Technology Week (HESTEC)

 

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
  • 2000 Facilitated the agreement with the U.S. Department of the Navy to sell the outlying airfield to Goliad County for $1, with the agreement that it would be used as a source of economic development for the county.

 

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
  • 1999- Anzalduas International Bridge, Presidential Bridge Permit issued

 

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
  • 1998- Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge- Congressman Hinojosa worked closely with the Clinton Administration to have a new Presidential Permit issued.

 

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
  • Founding co-chair -  South Texas Independent School District

 

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
  • Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees - South Texas Community College (STCC)

 

 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