NCLR Honored Latino Leaders.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) honored four Hispanic leaders and a leading Hispanic community-based organization at its Awards Banquet, at the concluding event of the NCLR Annual Conference.

Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) received the President’s Award. The President’s Award is presented to an individual or organization who has shown outstanding support for NCLR’s goals, missions, and philosophy. Rep. Hinojosa is being honored for his strong advocacy of improving education opportunities for all Latino children.

NCLR bestowed the Ruben Salazar Award for Communications to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Gloria Tristani from New Mexico who has been a tireless advocate for consumers and minorities on the FCC. The award is given each year to an individual who has dedicated his or her life to promoting a positive portrayal of Latino historical, political economic, and cultural contributions to U.S. society and is named for legendary Los Angeles Times reporter Ruben Salazar who was killed by Los Angeles police while covering a Chicano Moratorium demonstration in 1970.

This year’s Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award was presented to former California Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa who electrified the Latino community nationwide by becoming the first viable Hispanic candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles in over a century and who is one of the most prominent Latino leaders in California. The Graciela Olivarez Award is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to promoting the interests of Hispanic Americans.

Lorraine Lee was the recipient of the Maclovio Barraza Leadership Award. Lee, a community activist and leader in Tucson, Arizona, heads the Tucson office of Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC), one of NCLR’s oldest affiliates, and is being recognized for her nearly two decades of work on behalf of Arizona’s Latino community. The award is presented to an individual whose leadership has served as a source of strength and support to the Latino community.

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