Radio Unica & The American Institute For Public Service To Honor Latinos.

For the first time in its 30-year history, the prestigious Jefferson Awards for public service are reaching out on a massive scale to U.S. Hispanics. Leading the nationwide, Spanish-language drive on behalf of the American Institute for Public Service (AIPS) of Washington, DC is Miami-based Radio Unica. The network has begun a three-month-long, on-air campaign to encourage Hispanics throughout the country to submit nominations for the 2002 awards.

Radio Unica executives will also participate in the nomination process. A five-member board of judges has been appointed and will pick 25 Jefferson Award winners nationwide. Out of these 25, the Jefferson Awards Board of Selectors will choose five winners to attend the prestigious Jefferson Awards ceremonies to be held in Washington, DC in the United States Supreme Court on Wednesday, June 19th.

“Radio Unica is extremely proud to have entered into this historical partnership with the AIPS,” said Joaquin F. Blaya, CEO and Chairman of Radio Unica Communications Corp. “The Jefferson Awards are known as the Nobel Prize of America’s public service sector, and the AIPS’ decision to reach out to the nation’s Spanish-speaking population is a testament to the importance our community rightfully has earned.”

“Since the founding of the Jefferson Awards in 1972, the Latino population of our nation has mushroomed, and today thousands of Americans, whose language of preference is Spanish, contribute countless hours to volunteerism and public service,” AIPS President and Co-founder Sam Beard said. “Their contributions need to be recognized, and in that regard, we feel Radio Unica is the ideal vehicle for getting the word out to them about the Jefferson Awards.”

Founded by Mr. Beard, in conjunction with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr., the Jefferson Awards recognize and honor ordinary Americans who dedicate their time and energies to enriching their communities through volunteer service. To be nominated, individuals need to have performed important work on behalf of the disadvantaged or underprivileged – including children, the elderly, the sick or needy – or have contributed in some lasting manner to their community at large.

The 25 Jefferson Award winners will receive the official Jefferson Award, a bronze replica of the Great Seal of the United States, designed by The Franklin Mint, and signed on the back by Mrs. Kennedy Onassis and Senator Taft.

Individuals and/or organizations interested in submitting nominations may do so on-line by visiting Radio Unica’s Web site http://www.radiounica.com or by mailing them to: Radio Unica, “Jefferson Awards 2002”, 8400 N.W. 52 Street, Miami, FL 33166. Mailed-in nominations must be typewritten (no more than one page), and include the name and phone number of the nominee and person nominating, and cite specific reasons for the nomination, including examples of the nominee’s volunteerism. All ages are eligible. Nominees must be U.S. citizens and reside in the U.S. All nominations must be received at Radio Unica no later than 10:00 a.m., April 15, 2002.