My Awards

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

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

1995

1994

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