My Awards
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1995
1994
1993
1991
1989
1987
1983
1982
1978
2008
- 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
- Making the Difference in Support of Financial Literacy – National Foundation of Credit Counseling Advocate Award
- 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
- Health Occupations Students of America Award
- Lifelong Leadership Award – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
2006
- Federal Legislator Award – Jump$tart
- Golden Meal Award – Meals on Wheels
- Leadership Award – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Health Occupation Student Association Award
- Adam Smith Medal of Distinction – National Council of Economic Education
- Clay Cochran Award for Distinguished Service in Housing for the Rural Poor – Housing Assistance Council
- MANA of Hidalgo County Award
- 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 Award – Freddie Mac
- Financial Literacy Legislator of the Year – Native Financial Education Coalition
2005
- Brighter Vision Award for Support of Visual Health – Senior’s Coalition
- Partnership Award – National Association of Development Organizations
- Outstanding Support of the Stock Market Game Program Award – Foundation for Investor Education and the Securities Industry Association
- Leadership Award – HEP CAMP Association
- Teach Children to Save Day Award – American Bankers Association
- Spirit of Enterprise Award – US Chamber of Commerce
2004
- Award for Outstanding Commitment to Fighting Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking – The Century Council
- Reaching Beyond Excellence – Sharyland ISD Education Foundation
- Leadership Award – Higher Education Consortium for Special Education
- Save Americorps Recognition Award – Americorps
- National Award for Education – Milkin
2003
- Cesar Chavez Social Justice Award – Georgetown University
- HerMANO Award – MANA
- American Diabetes Association Award
- Rubén Hinojosa Elementary School – Sharyland, TX
2002
- National Director’s Appreciation Award – Minority Enterprise Development
- Partnership Award – National Council for Community Education
- Rubén Hinojosa Highway - former US Highway 88, Hidalgo County, TX
- Rubén Hinojosa Industrial Park – former City of Elsa Industrial Park
- National Leadership Award – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Rubén Hinojosa Elementary School – Mercedes, TX
- Legislator of the Year Award – Texas School Food Services Association
2001
- President’s Award – National Council of La Raza
- Friend of the Border Award – Border Trade Alliance
- Leadership Award – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Mercedes (TX) Area Chamber of Commerce
- Champion for Education Award – Region One Education Service Center and the University of Texas-Pan American
- Mercedes Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement 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
- Champion of Hispanic Success in Higher Education – Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
- Outstanding Leadership in Promoting Regional Economic Development National Association of Development Organizations
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
- Friend 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
- Annual Champion for Children Award – HOSTS Corporation, Dallas, TX
1998
- Leadership Award – American Association for Higher Education
- Expanding Educational Opportunities Award – Hispanic Education Coalition
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Exemplary Policy or Advocacy Leadership Award
- Outstanding Leadership Award – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Outstanding Service Award – American/Texas Farm Bureau
- 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
- Recognition for Dedicated Service on Behalf of Students Participating In Child Nutrition Programs – Texas School Food Service Association
1997
- Appreciation Award – 7th Annual Hidalgo Urban County Conference
- Appreciation Award – Texas Migrant Council Head Start Program
1995
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Hispanic Magazine
- Excellence in Public Service Award – Excellence in Public Service Award
1994
- Hispanic Man of the Year, Rio Grande Valley – Freedom Newspapers
1993
- Entrepreneur of the Year, Finalist – Ernst & Young, Merrill Lynch and The Business Journal-San Antonio, TX
- Distinguished Alumnus – University of Texas Pan American
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
1983
- Minority Business Entrepreneur o the Year National Award – US Department of Commerce; White House presentation by President Reagan and Vice President Bush
1982
- JCI Senator
1978
- Outstanding State Board of Education Member of the Year – Texas Association of Bilingual Education