Tuesday, March 15, 2016JOIN US for NALEO’s ruby anniversary kick-off event, which will honor our past and pay tribute to the progress that has been made by the Latino community over the last 40 years.
Marriott Marquis Hotel
901 Massachusetts Ave NW | Washington, DC 20001
Presented annually, the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service was established to honor individuals who have distinguished themselves as devoted public servants to the nation, and pays tribute to the organization’s founder and President Emeritus, the late Congressman Edward R. Roybal.
Chair of the 2016 NALEO Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala
About
the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service
The Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service was established by NALEO in tribute to the organization’s founder and on the occasion of NALEO’s 20th Anniversary. Selection of this honoree provides an opportunity for Latino elected and appointed officials to recognize the exemplary leadership provided by their colleagues in communities throughout the United States. This award recognizes current or former elected or appointed officials who have distinguished themselves in public office. Through their advocacy and representation efforts, these elected and appointed officials have advanced and given voice to the interests of their constituents and the Latino community.
Event Details
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
901 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
Independence Ballroom, Meeting Level 4
5:30 p.m. – Gala Reception
7:00 p.m. – Dinner & Awards Program
8:30 p.m. – Dessert Reception
Black Tie Optional / Cocktail Attire
U.S. SECRETARY
Henry Cisneros
Presented annually, the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service was established to honor individuals who have distinguished themselves as devoted public servants to the nation and the Latino community. The award pays tribute to the organization’s founder and President Emeritus, the late Congressman Edward R. Roybal. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary and look to the past, we are proud to recognize and honor one of NALEO’s original members.
As a political trailblazer, 2016 awardee U.S. Secretary Henry Cisneros paved the way for future Latino leaders and demonstrated extraordinary leadership in his efforts to increase opportunities for Latinos in Texas and nationwide. In his role as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development he is credited with initiating the revitalization of many of the nation’s public housing developments and with formulating policies which contributed to achieving the nation’s highest ever homeownership rate.
Prior to his Cabinet position, Secretary Cisneros served four terms as one of the first Latino mayors of a major U.S. city in his hometown of San Antonio. He was first elected to a two-year term in 1981. As mayor, Secretary Cisneros worked to rebuild the city’s economic base, recruited convention business, attracted high tech industries, increased the level of tourism, and worked to bring more jobs to San Antonio. Before his tenure as mayor, Secretary Cisneros was elected to three two-year terms on the city council, on which he served from 1975 to 1981.
In 1984, Secretary Cisneros was interviewed by the Democratic Presidential nominee as a possible candidate for Vice President of the United States and in 1986 was selected as the “Outstanding Mayor” in the nation by City and State Magazine.
Following his tenure in public office, Secretary Cisneros served as President and COO for the Spanish-language network Univision Communications Inc. from 1997 to 2000 before forming American City Vista to work with the nation’s leading homebuilders to create homes priced within the range of average families. That company evolved to become CityView where Secretary Cisneros is currently Chairman.
Throughout his career in politics and business, Secretary Cisneros has remained actively involved with NALEO, as well as housing development and urban revitalization efforts. He is an active advocate for the Latino community serving on corporate boards, as well as chairing and serving on several non-profit boards to promote Latinos and the immigrant population. Cisneros has authored, edited, or collaborated on several books and is an in-demand public speaker.
Secretary Cisneros severed as an infantry officer in the United States Army. He holds his Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University and was awarded a second Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. He studied Urban Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from George Washington University. He has been awarded more than 20 honorary doctorates from leading universities.
Secretary Cisneros’ efforts to improve the quality of life for the Latino community, through his work as a public servant and businessman, exemplify the mission of NALEO and the legacy of the late Congressman Roybal. NALEO is pleased to celebrate our organization’s 40th anniversary by honoring a distinguished Latino public servant who played a critical role in the organization’s history and whose work on behalf of the American people upholds the values of our great nation.
Previous Recipients
of the
Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service
2015
The Honorable Xavier Becerra
Member of Congress, California
2014
“U.S. Senate Gang of Eight”
The Honorable John McCain
United States Senator – Arizona
The Honorable Richard “Dick” Durbin
United States Senator – Illinois
The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator – New York
The Honorable Lindsey Graham
United States Senator – South Carolina
The Honorable Robert “Bob” Menendez
United States Senator – New Jersey
The Honorable Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator – Colorado
The Honorable Marco Rubio
United States Senator – Florida
The Honorable Jeffry “Jeff” Flake
United States Senator – Arizona
2013
The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Member of Congress, Florida
2012
The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Mayor, City of Los Angeles
2011
The Honorable Peter M. Rivera
New York State Assemblymember
2010
The Honorable Mel Martinez
United States Senator – Florida
2009
The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte
Texas State Senator
2008
The Honorable Bill Richardson
Governor of the State of New Mexico
2007
The Honorable Marco Rubio
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
2006
The Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard
Member of Congress, California
2005
The Honorable Raymond G. Sanchez
Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives
2002
The Honorable Manuel Lujan
Fmr. United States Secretary of the Interior
Fmr. Member of Congress, New Mexico
2001
The Honorable Judith Valles
Mayor, City of San Bernardino, California
2000
The Honorable Gloria Tristani
Federal Trade Commissioner
1998
The Honorable Esteban E. Torres
Member of Congress, California
1997
The Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez
Member of Congress, Texas (Ret.)
1996
The Honorable Edward R. Roybal
Member of Congress, California (Ret.)
The Honorable Edward R. Roybal
February 10, 1916-October 24, 2005
A devoted public servant for 43 years, Edward R. Roybal was at the forefront of efforts to advance civil rights, establish rural mental health programs, fund AIDS research, and improve support services for veterans and the elderly. In 1976, he founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), creating a national forum for Latino issues, while opening doors for a new generation of Latino leaders.
Roybal was born on February 10, 1916 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the age of six, his family moved to Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School. After graduation, Roybal joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, eventually studying business at UCLA and law at Southwestern University.
His public career began in 1942 as a health educator for the California Tuberculosis Association. In 1949, Roybal was elected to the Los Angeles City Council, becoming the first Latino to serve since 1881. He sat on the City Council until 1962, when he then went on to become the first Mexican-American to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from California. As a Congressman he established a reputation as a staunch civil libertarian while working on issues such as immigrant rights, education, and health care. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and as the Chairman of the Subcommittees on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government, Congressman Roybal was one of the “thirteen cardinals” of the House of Representatives. He was also one of the ranking members of the Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee. His post on the Appropriations Committee enabled him to work on federal funding for health and education programs, and bilingual education.
Roybal was a major catalyst in the establishment of the House Select Committee on Aging and served as its Chairman from 1983 to 1993. His vision and ability to analyze problem situations prompted him to fight and obtain, in 1982, the first ever funding specifically dedicated to research on AIDS. In 1989, he continued his work on health care issues and was instrumental in renewing legislation to provide medical services to people with Alzheimer’s disease. In 1992, he chose not to run for reelection.
During his three decades of service, Roybal worked to protect the rights of the underserved, the elderly, and the physically challenged. Throughout this career, he received numerous honors and awards, including two honorary law degrees from Pacific States University and Claremont Graduate School. In 1973, Yale University honored him with a visiting Chubb Fellowship. On January 8, 2001, President William J. Clinton presented Congressman Roybal with the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal of Honor. In 2014, Congressman Roybal was awarded posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.
For more information call (213) 765-9439, or email [email protected].
Proceeds benefit the programs and services of NALEO Educational Fund Tax ID # 52-1212849.
