Our 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 exemplary individuals who are role models and outstanding civic citizens for the Latino community, Latino youth in particular.

The individuals must have at least a 15-year record of contributions and accomplishments in their 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.

Medallion of Excellence Categories:

• Medallion for Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music, and Sports
• American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine, or Civil Rights

The Chair’s Medallion 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.

2014

• José Díaz-Balart
  Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music or Sports
• Eliseo Medina
  American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights
• Juliet V. García, Ph.D.
  Chair’s Medallion Award
• Henry L. Fernández, Ed.D.
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award

2013

• Salma Hayek Pinault
  Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Music or Sports
• Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr.
  American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine or Civil Rights
• Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa
  Chair’s Medallion Award
• CHCI Alumni Association Founding Members
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award

2012

• Lt. Col. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch (ret.)
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• George Lopez
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
  Chair’s Award
• Hon. Liza Rodriguez
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award

2011

• Vikki Carr
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• José Hernández
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• The Honorable Ken Salazar, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
  Chair’s Award
• The Honorable Hilda L. Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor
  Chair’s Award
• Orson Aguilar
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
• Chris Weitz
  CHCI Excellence in Service Award

2010

• Eva Longoria Parker
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• Arturo Sandoval
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• Lin-Manuel Miranda
  Chair’s Lifetime Achievement Award
• Gabriella Gomez
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award

2009

• Lalo Guerrero (awarded posthumously)
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• Soledad O’Brien
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• Marc Anthony
  Chair’s Lifetime Achievement Award
• Ana Maria Arias (awarded posthumously)
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award

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
• Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz
  Chair’s Award
• Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
  Chair’s Award
• Rep. Jose E. Serrano
  Chair’s Award
• Enrique Figueroa, Ph.D.
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award

2007

• Rep. Luis Gutierrez
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• Monica Lozano
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service
• Ms. Regina Aragón
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award
• Tribute to Latino Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients
  Chair’s Award

2006

• Jimmy Smits
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership
• Roberto Walker Clemente (awarded posthumously)
  Medallion of Excellence for Community Service
• Maria Elena Salinas
  Chair’s Award
• Dr. José Garzon
  CHCI Distinguished Alumnus Award

2005

• Alonzo Cantu
  Medallion of Excellence for Community Service
• Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership
• Rita Moreno
  Chair’s Award

2004

• Dolores Huerta
  Medallion of Excellence for Community Service
• Arturo Rodriguez
  Medallion of Excellence for Leadership
• Jorge Ramos
  Chair’s Award

2003

• Hon. Bill Richardson
  Medallion of Excellence for Community Service
• Raúl Yzaguirre
  Medallion of Excellence for Community Service
• Ricky Martin
  Chair’s Humanitarian Award

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 Awards 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 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
• 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

• Clara 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