Jorge Ramos honored by The Commonwealth Club with a Distinguished Citizen Award.

Univision’s award-winning anchor, Jorge Ramos, has been honored by The Commonwealth Club with a Distinguished Citizen Award. The renowned journalist is being recognized by the organization’s Board of Governors of California for being one of the outstanding individuals who embody the American Dream as immigrants to the United States. Ramos will receive the award during The Commonwealth Club’s 20th Annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner, to be celebrated tonight in San Francisco, CA.

Since 1988, The Commonwealth Club has bestowed its Distinguished Citizen Award on individuals and organizations whose contributions to society have had a positive and enduring impact, and who embody The Commonwealth Club’s dedication to an informed and engaged citizenry.

“We have chosen to celebrate our immigrants, noting the obstacles they have faced and had to overcome, learning to navigate in a culture and country that does not speak their language, or practice the customs and traditions of their everyday lives,” remarked Dr. Gloria Duffy, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Club. “Those we honor have risen to the top in spite of many challenges. They undoubtedly serve as role models for so many who continue to struggle and for those who have yet to come.”

Considered as one of the most eloquent, credible and powerful voices of Hispanic America, Jorge Ramos has received many accolades throughout his career, including eight Emmy awards for excellence in journalism and the Maria Moors Cabot award from the University of Columbia. Dubbed the “Star Newscaster of Hispanic TV” and “Hispanic TV’s #1 correspondent” by The Wall Street Journal, Ramos has served as “Noticiero Univision’s” news anchor since 1986. He also currently hosts the network’s weekly political show, “Al Punto,” in addition to providing three radio commentaries aired daily through the Univision Radio Network.

Named one of “the 25 most influential Hispanics in the United States” by both TIME and People magazines,” Ramos has been instrumental in promoting literacy amongst Hispanics and written numerous books; including Dying to Cross (Morir en el Intento) for which he received the Latino Book Award in 2006. In 2002 he created the first book club in the history of Hispanic television: Despierta Leyendo (Wake Up Reading), and he currently writes a weekly column for more than 40 newspapers in the United States and Latin America. This summer, he will publish his first children’s book.

“It is an honor to receive this award on behalf of the millions of immigrants who come to this country each year in search of the American Dream,” said Ramos. “I am humbled by this recognition and salute The Commonwealth Club of California for dedicating their 105th anniversary, and 20th annual dinner, to celebrating the important contributions that immigrants make to this country.”

The Annual Dinner is The Club’s most significant annual fundraising event, providing resources to support its important nonprofit public forum mission throughout the year. Past honorees include Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Gordon and Betty Moore, the Honorable William Perry and the Honorable George Shultz, the Lane Family and Sunset magazine, Richard N. Goldman, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, and founding eBay President Jeff Skoll, among others.