My Awards
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
2007
- National Foundation of Credit Counseling Advocate Award for Making the Difference in Support of Financial Literacy
- American Chemical Society Public Service Award
- A Place to Call Home Award by the National Network for Youth
- Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame
- US Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award
- Health Occupations Students of America Award
2006
- Jump$tart Federal Legislator Award
- Meals on Wheels Golden Meal Award
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
- Health Occupation Student Association Award
- NCEE’s Adam Smith Medal of Distinction
- Housing Assistance Council Clay Cochran Award for Distinguished Service in Housing for the Rural Poor
- MANA of Hidalgo County Award
- Distinguished Citizen Award from the Rio Grande Council Boy Scouts Club of America
- President’s Award of Honor – University of Texas Pan American
- National Low Income Housing Coalition Housing Leadership Award
- Freddie Mac Award for Champion in Financial Education
- Native Financial Education Coalition – Financial Literacy Legislator of the Year
2005
- Brighter Vision Award for Support of Visual Health
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
- Outstanding Support of the Stock Market Game Program Award by the Foundation for Investor Education and the Securities Industry Association
- HEP CAMP Association Leadership Award
- American Bankers Association Award for Teach Children to Save Day
- Spirit of Enterprise Award, US Chamber of Commerce
2004
- The Century Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Fight Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking
- Reaching Beyond Excellence by Sharyland ISD Education Foundation
- Higher Education Consortium for Special Education Leadership Award
- Save Americorps Recognition Award
- Milkin National Education Award for Education
2003
- Cesar Chavez Social Justice Award from Georgetown University
- MANA HerMANO Award
- American Diabetes Association Award
2002
- Minority Enterprise Development National Director’s Appreciation Award
- National Council for Community and Education Partnerships Award
2001
- TX Migrant Council Head Start Award
- Region One Service Center Champion of Education Award
- National Council of La Raza President’s Award
- Border Trade Alliance Friend of the Border Award
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
- Mercedes Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award
- Hispanic Education Coalition Outstanding Leadership Award
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
- LULAC Excellence in Education Award
1999
- Names One of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States – Hispanic Business Magazine
- Golden Eagle Ward – 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 and Conservation Association
- National Minority Advocate of the Year – US Department of Commerce
- 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
1998
- Hispanic Education Coalition Outstanding Leadership Award
- American Association for Higher Education Leadership Award
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
- National Farmers Union Achievement Award
- Outstanding Service Award – American/Texas Farm Bureau
- US Postal Service Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award
Support for Small Business Award – Valley Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Recognition for Dedicated Service on Behalf of Students Participating in Child Nutrition Programs by the Texas School Food Service Association
- Special Olympics Award for Outstanding Support during the 1998 Campaign
1997
- Appreciation Award – 7th Annual Hidalgo Urban County Conference
- Texas Migrant Council Head Start Appreciation Award
- Appreciation Award – UTB/TSC-VPTAC