CHCI Medallion of Excellence Awardees

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CHCI awards two Medallions of Excellence (one male and one female) at its Annual Awards Gala.  The Medallions of Excellence are two of the highest honors bestowed by CHCI since 1985 together with the annual Chair's Award which was established in 2003.

The CHCI Medallions recognize leadership and community service at their highest influence within the Latino community and in U.S. society at all levels.  Awardees represent the best in the Latino community that are pushing the envelope within their professions while giving back to the Latino community.  Medallion recipients serve not only as role models for Latinos in the U.S., but also as ambassadors for the Latino community by raising awareness of the many contributions made to U.S. society by Latinos. 

 

2009
Soledad O'Brien
Medallion of Excellence for Latinos Leading in the Arts

Lalo Guerrero (awarded posthumously)
Medallion of Excellence for Latinos Leading in the Arts

2008
Rosie Perez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service

Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez, USA (Ret.)
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service

2007
Luis Gutierrez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service

Monica Lozano
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service

2006
Jimmy Smits
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership

Roberto Clemente Walker
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service

2005
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership

Alonzo Cantu
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service

2004
Arturo Rodriguez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership

Dolores Huerta
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service

2003
Hon. Bill Richardson
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership

Raúl Yzaguirre
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service

2002
Hon. Henry Cisneros
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership

Emilio and Gloria Estefan
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service

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
Hon. Robert Menendez
Medallion of Excellence for Leadership

Carlos Santana
Medallion of Excellence for Community Service

1998
The Medallions of Excellence were not conferred due to the retirements of
the Hon. Henry B. Gonzalez and Hon. Esteban Torres

1997
Moctesuma Esparza
Distinguished Service Award

Elisa Sanchez
Role Model Award

Tribute for the Hon. Frank Tejeda in memoriam

1996
The Medallions of Excellence 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

Carmen Zapata
Role Model Award

1994
Hon. Fernando Ferrer
Distinguished Service Award

Miriam I. Cruz
Role Model Award

1993
Lucille Beserra-Roybal
Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Ellen Ochoa
Role Model Award

1992
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
Sonia Manzano
Distinguished Service Award

Jesse Benavides
Role Model Award

1990
Dr. Antonia C. Novello
Distinguished Service Award

Sidney M. Gutierrez
Role Model Award

1989
Marta Istomín
Distinguished Service Award

Edward James Olmos
Role Model Award

1988
Prof. Jaime Escalante
Distinguished Service Award

Chi Chi Rodríguez
Role Model Award

1987
Dr. Franklin Chang Díaz
Distinguished Service Award

1986
Hon. Clare Padilla Andrews
Distinguished Service Award

Hon. Edward N. Hidalgo
Role Model Award

1985
Hon. E. "Kika" de la Garza
Hon. and Mrs. Robert García
Hon. Manuel Lujan, Jr.
Hon. Edward R. Roybal