For Immediate Release: September 27, 2007
Contact: Karen Clifton
Phone: (559) 445-5532

Fresno – To commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, Assemblymember Juan Arambula (D-Fresno) honored the Central Valley’s finest Latino Leaders today during the 9th Annual Latino Heritage Awards at Arte Américas.  The program celebrated the honoree’s service and contributions to the community.

“It is a privilege to recognize outstanding leaders in our community,” said Assemblymember Arambula.  “These exceptional individuals have defined what it means to be a leader not only in the Hispanic community, but to our Valley.”

Local organizations and leaders throughout Arambula’s 31st Assembly District submitted names for the distinguished awards.

Winners for the “Latino Heritage Awards” included: Non-profit Employee: Sarah Villa from Fresno Barrios Unidos, Small Business Owner: Ricardo Flores owner of Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, Medical: Dr. Anthony Molina from CSUF/Sequoia Health Clinics, Legal/Justice: Rosendo Peña from Fresno County Superior Court, Community Volunteer: Mary Espino from Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District, Education: Luz Gonzalez, California State University, Fresno, and Youth: Edmer Archila from the City of Mendota.

An award in the area of Public Safety was present to Fresno City Police Officer, Brain Nieto, for his brave and valiant service to the community. Nieto was critically wounded while on duty when he attempted to stop two men who were in a stolen vehicle. 

Assemblymember Arambula also presented two Special Tribute Awards to former Raider’s coach Tom Flores and The Tom Flores Foundation for their work in the community, and to Augustin Lira who is a 2007 National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellowship recipient.  The award is the country’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts.