CHCI TO HONOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVES  TONY CÁRDENAS  AND GRACE NAPOLITANO AT 47TH ANNUAL AWARDS GALA

Washington, D.C. – September 5, 2024 – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and its Chair, Representative Adriano Espaillat, are proud to recognize the 2024 Legacy Award honorees, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Congresswoman Grace Flores Napolitano (D-CA) as Legacy Award honorees at its 47th Annual Awards Gala. 

The CHCI Legacy Award is presented to a member(s) of Congress who is retiring from office, in recognition of their lifelong dedication to public service and work to elevate the Latino community.

“My esteemed colleagues, Congressman Tony Cárdenas and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, have served with distinction and honor, championing the needs of their respective congressional districts and advocating for Latino communities around the nation. Their unwavering commitment to ensuring equity and progress throughout their extraordinary careers in civil service is remarkable, and they are exemplary role models for the emerging generation of Latino leaders. I am profoundly grateful for their years of dedicated service and am proud to recognize their achievements during this year’s gala,” said CHCI Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

“Congressman Tony Cárdenas and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano have both been incredible leaders in the Latino community. Their influence as changemakers and steadfast advocates has made such a strong impact on our lives. As we honor them at this year’s Gala, we celebrate not only their remarkable careers but also the legacy of inspiration they leave for future generations,” said CHCI President and CEO, Marco A. Davis.

“I am grateful for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s recognition and honored to receive the Legacy Award,” said Congressman Tony Cárdenas. “During my twelve years in Congress, I’ve collaborated with CHCI to create new opportunities and meaningful experiences for young, brilliant Latino leaders looking to make an impact on a local and national level. I’m proud of the work we have accomplished together, and I will always be committed to mentoring the next generation of Latino trailblazers that are giving our diverse community a voice at the table.”

“For 26 years, it has been the greatest honor and privilege to represent my constituents in Congress, working and fighting daily for progress for a better life for them and their families, for California, and our nation. From creating good-paying jobs, ensuring access to clean water, and delivering safer, faster commutes, to serving our veterans and their families, helping at-risk youth, and increasing the access and availability of mental health services nationwide, I have been proud to champion these causes for our Hispanic community and all Americans. I did not do it alone; thank you to my mentors, friends, colleagues, and dedicated staff. On behalf of my constituents, colleagues, friends, staff, and loving, supportive family, I am incredibly humbled and honored to accept this Legacy Award, and I thank God for his guidance, and CHCI and my colleagues for their continued immeasurable contributions to and for Latinos everywhere,” said Congresswoman Grace Flores Napolitano. 

The 2024 CHCI Legacy Award will be awarded to Congresswoman Grace Flores Napolitano.

Grace Flores Napolitano was born in Brownsville, Texas. She began her political career in 1986 as a member of the Norwalk City Council, and in 1989 Napolitano’s fellow council members selected her to serve as Mayor. During her tenure, she addressed the city’s need for jobs and reliable public transportation. Napolitano was elected in 1992 to the California Assembly, where she quickly earned a reputation as a hard worker and champion for international trade/economic expansion, environmental protection, transportation, immigration, small business, and women’s issues.

First elected to Congress in 1998, Napolitano is currently serving her 13th term. Her Los Angeles County-based district covers several cities and communities in the San Gabriel Valley. Napolitano serves on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and is currently the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. She continues to advance projects and policies that relieve congestion, improve transit, and reduce the negative impacts her district takes on as a primary shipping corridor from the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Napolitano also serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and is a long-time promoter of conservation, water recycling, desalination, and groundwater management as solutions to Southern California’s water needs.

Napolitano is the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus. She has been active in securing mental health parity in the Affordable Care Act, promoting mental health legislation, and working with prominent figures to increase funding and access to mental health services in Congress. Her 2001 program providing mental health and suicide prevention services on-site in four schools has expanded to 35 schools with assistance from Los Angeles County Mental Health, which now serves as a model program for the Mental Health Services for Students Act. She is also the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Youth Challenge Caucus, which supports Youth Challenge: a program run by the National Guard cadre using military discipline and education to help at-risk youth complete high school to emerge better armed with knowledge and training for success. The Congresswoman is a member and former Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which addresses the impact of national issues on the Hispanic community.

The 2024 CHCI Legacy Award will be awarded to Congressman Tony Cárdenas.

Raised by hard-working immigrant parents, Tony Cárdenas was brought up with simple ideals – that integrity and dedication were the keys to success. These are the qualities he has brought to his work as a public servant, and he continues to offer that today as a United States Congressman. Representing the community that raised him, Tony has never stopped working for the San Fernando Valley – from fighting for better jobs to lowering costs. He always puts People over Politics.

Before representing California’s 29th district in Congress, Rep. Cárdenas was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1996. He went on to serve three terms in the assembly and was later elected to the Los Angeles City Council, in 2003. Rep. Cárdenas made history as the first Latino elected to represent the San Fernando Valley in the United States Congress. The very passion and love for the Valley that drove him to run for office 27 years ago fuel his work in Washington today. An engineer by trade and a former small business owner, Rep. Cárdenas’ experience prepared him for a life of problem-solving as a public servant. Now in the 118th Congress (2023-2024), Rep. Cárdenas sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Rep. Cárdenas earned his engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Born in Pacoima, he was raised with ten brothers and sisters and still resides in the San Fernando Valley with his wife, Norma, their four children, and their grandchildren.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 47th Annual CHCI Awards Gala and the 2024 Leadership Conference. Please email development@chci.org for more information.

Onsite press credentials and interview requests with select honorees, musical talent, participants, and organizational leadership may be available upon request.

47th Annual CHCI Awards Gala Host Sponsor

###

ABOUT CHCI

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization in the country dedicated to developing the next generation of Latino leaders®. CHCI provides leadership, public service, and policy experiences to outstanding Latino/a/x students and young professionals, and convenes Members of Congress, other public officials, corporate executives, nonprofit advocates, and thought leaders to discuss issues facing the nation and the Hispanic community. Visit CHCI.org and follow us @CHCI on social media.