CHCI’s Highest Honors
Each year CHCI presents its Highest Honors at its Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. during Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Medallion of Excellence awards are presented to an individual who conducts himself or herself in an exemplary manner and who serves as a role model and standard-bearer for the Latino community, particularly Latino youth. The individual must have at least a 15-year record of contributions and accomplishments in his/her field with solid leadership and community involvement. The qualifying factor is philanthropic and civic engagement through the initiation or support of programs that benefit the Hispanic community as a whole.
New! 2013 Medallion of Ecellence Categories:
Medallion for Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music, and Sports
American Dream Medallion in Education, Science, Medicine, or Civil Rights
The Chair's Award(s) is presented each year to an individual who has dedicated his or her public or private career to improving the lives of Hispanic Americans. The honoree is chosen wholly at the Chair's discretion.
The Medallion of Excellence for a Distinguished Alumnus recognizes a CHCI alumnus who has made an outstanding contribution to the Latino Community and who has thereby achieved distinction. This prestigious annual award is meant to highlight the impact of CHCI's programs and the prominence of its alumni. Those considered are judged on the full range of their professional accomplishments. Alumni must have graduated from the Fellowship program at least 20 years or the Internship program 15 years from the date of nomination.
2012
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Lt. Col. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch (ret.) |
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George Lopez |
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2011
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Vikki Carr Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service |
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José Hernández |
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The Honorable Hilda L. Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor Chair's Award |
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Chris Weitz CHCI Excellence in Service Award |
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photo: David Roker |
2010
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Eva Longoria Parker Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service |
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Arturo Sandoval |
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2009
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Lalo Guerrero (awarded posthumously) Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service |
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Soledad O'Brien |
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2008
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Rosie Perez Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service |
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Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez, USA (Ret.) |
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Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen |
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Rep. Jose E. Serrano Chair's Award |
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Enrique Figueroa, Ph.D. |
2007
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Monica Lozano Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service |
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Tribute to Latino Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients
Chair's Award
2006
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Jimmy Smits Medallion of Excellence for Leadership |
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Maria Elena Salinas Chair's Award |
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2005
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Alonzo Cantu Medallion of Excellence for Community Service |
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Medallion of Excellence for Leadership |
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Rita Moreno Chair's Award |
2004
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Dolores Huerta Medallion of Excellence for Community Service |
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Arturo Rodriguez Medallion of Excellence for Leadership |
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2003
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Hon. Bill Richardson Medallion of Excellence for Community Service |
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Raúl Yzaguirre |
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2002
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Hon. Henry Cisneros Medallion of Excellence for Leadership |
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Emilio and Gloria Estefan |
2001
| The Medallions of Excellence were not conferred due to the cancellation of the gala in the wake of September 11. |
2000
| Dedicated to the entire Hispanic community for their contributions to the United States. |
1999
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Hon. Robert Menendez Medallion of Excellence for Leadership |
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Carlos Santana |
1998
| The Medallions of Excellence Awards were not conferred due to the retirements of the Hon. Henry B. Gonzalez and Hon. Esteban Torres. |
1997
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Moctesuma Esparza Distinguished Service Award |
| Elisa Sanchez Role Model Award |
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Tribute for the Hon. Frank Tejeda in memoriam. |
1996
| The Medallions of Excellence Awards were not conferred due to the retirement of CHCI founding member, the Hon. E. "Kika" de la Garza. |
1995
| Dr. Manuel A. Alzugaray Distinguished Service Award |
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Carmen Zapata Role Model Award |
1994
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Hon. Fernando Ferrer Distinguished Service Award |
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Miriam I. Cruz Role Model Award |
1993
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Lucille Beserra-Roybal Distinguished Service Award |
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Dr. Ellen Ochoa Role Model Award |
1992
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Antonia Hernandez Distinguished Service Award |
| The Role Model Award was not conferred due to the retirement of CHCI founding member, the Hon. Edward R. Roybal. |
1991
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Sonia Manzano Distinguished Service Award |
| Jesse Benavides Role Model Award |
1990
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Dr. Antonia C. Novello Distinguished Service Award |
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Sidney M. Gutierrez Role Model Award |
1989
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Marta Istomín Distinguished Service Award |
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Edward James Olmos Role Model Award |
1988
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Prof. Jaime Escalante Distinguished Service Award |
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Chi Chi Rodríguez Role Model Award |
1987
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Dr. Franklin Chang Díaz Distinguished Service Award |
1986
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Clara Padilla Andrews Distinguished Service Award |
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Hon. Edward N. Hidalgo Role Model Award |
1985
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Hon. and Mrs. Robert García |
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Hon. Manuel Lujan, Jr. |
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Hon. Edward R. Roybal |
