WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, November 28, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) was privileged to honor extraordinary advocates and policymakers for their continued leadership and invaluable contributions to the Latino community at its 9th annual D.C. Impact Awards Reception at the National Association of Broadcasters.

Honorees were:

U.S. SENATOR CORY BOOKER

Outstanding Public Service

U.S. CONGRESSMAN TONY CÁRDENAS

Outstanding Public Service

SPEIGEL & MCDIARMID LLC

Outstanding Advocates

OLIVIA BAE WEIN

Outstanding Advocate

VIEW PHOTOS OF THE EVENT HERE:

FLICKR

NHMC President & CEO Alex Nogales commented on the event: “These awards matter as they annually honor Americans who continue to give to the nation, achieve something for the greater good, and advance and empower the American Latino community. This year, the honorees' work have impacted the national psyche as they have allowed all Americans to better understand the plight, culture and history of Latinos within the greater American narrative. These outstanding advocates have reminded us that Latinos belong and this is our nation, too. Congratulations to our honorees. It is a privilege we honor you."

Senator Cory Booker: "It's an honor to be recognized by the National Hispanic Media Coalition for this award. While I’m grateful for this recognition, I'm even more grateful for the incredible work NHMC does to elevate Latino voices in newsrooms and studios across the country. Representation matters. Our most fundamental American ideals become a reality when people who represent the rich diversity of this country have a seat at the table and push for policies and policymakers who represent and recognize the needs of all communities."

Congressman Tony Cárdenas: "As the son of hard-working immigrants, I was taught that integrity and dedication were keys to success. Those qualities have influenced my more than 20-years of public service work to the Latino community. In Congress, I have fought for concrete initiatives to jump-start the middle-class and those working to join the middle-class, including millions of Latino families. I have introduced legislation to encourage STEM learning, and have pushed for the goal of graduating 100,000 Latino engineers by 2020. I remain steadfast in my commitment to protect DREAMers, migrant children and immigrant families, many of whom have been treated inhumanely in our country in recent months. I am also proud to be a voice for Latino representation in media, whether it’s encouraging studio executives to create cultures of diversity and inclusion from the top down, to speaking out loudly against media ownership that would threaten Latino programming that is both essential and beloved to our communities. I believe that representation in our culture and diversity in our economy are connected, and I am honored that this amazing organization, NHMC, has chosen to recognize my work with this award."

Olivia Bae Wein: "I am so honored to be recognized by the National Hispanic Media Coalition with this prestigious award," said National Consumer Law Center attorney Olivia Wein. "There is much work to be done as nearly 30% of Latino families do not have access to affordable broadband, and I look forward to continuing this important civil rights fight alongside the inspiring advocates at the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Together we will continue to advocate for a strong federal Lifeline program to help bridge that broadband opportunity gap for our children and our communities.”

Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP: “Spiegel & McDiarmid is thrilled to be recognized by NHMC for our work on the court appeal of the FCC’s repeal of Net Neutrality and NHMC’s Net Neutrality Freedom of Information Act requests. Net Neutrality and the ability of all persons, and in particular those in marginalized communities who otherwise would not have reasonable access to high speed internet service, to participate more fully in the information age are of critical importance in our society and in democracy. We appreciate the opportunity to help and applaud NHMC on all of its efforts on behalf of Latinos and other people of color.”

Past honorees of the Washington D.C. Impact Awards include:

Senator Robert Menendez, Senator Ed Markey, Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo, Congressman José E. Serrano, Congressman Ben Ray Luján, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and then-FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Michael J. Copps, and then-Congresswoman Hilda Solis.