Hispanic Heritage Awards Honor Outstanding Leaders
Ceremony and Luncheon is Highlight of Hispanic Business Conference
(ANNAPOLIS - Oct. 5, 2009) - The Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs has announced the recipients of the 2009 Hispanic Heritage Awards. The awards were presented today during a noon luncheon ceremony, at the BWI Marriott, 1743 West Nursery Road, Baltimore, MD. Lt. Governor Anthony Brown delivered greetings at the awards presentation, which is the highlight of the 8th annual Maryland Hispanic Business Conference. The ceremony recognizes outstanding leaders of the Hispanic community whose service and humanitarian spirit helps to improve the quality of life for Hispanics living in Maryland.
"Governor O’Malley and I share a belief that our state's greatest strength is our diversity and as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we applaud the many contributions of Maryland's strong and growing Hispanic business community," Lt. Gov. Brown said.
Nominations for Hispanic Heritage Awards were submitted to the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs along with a written description of no more than 500 words, explaining why a nominee should receive an award. The categories of recognition include Civil Rights, Volunteer Service, Lifetime Achievement, Nonprofit Organization, Unsung Hero, Hispanic Legacy, Leaders on the Rise, Educator the Year, Public Safety, Faith-based, Health Care and the Chair’s Award. For information on the Hispanic Heritage Awards contact the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs at 410.767.7857 or online at Hispanic@goci.state.md.us.
2009 Hispanic Heritage Award Winners
Hispanic Legacy Award
Gilberto de Jesus-Baltimore City
Nominator-William Mendoza
Public Safety Hero
Officer José Juan Márquez – Baltimore County
Nominator: Y. Maria Welch
Leader on the Rise
Evelyn Hernandez – Prince George’s County
Nominator: Tatiana Santiago
Civil Rights Champion
Rosalba Bonilla Acosta – Montgomery County
Nominator: Kisha C. Kantasingh
Non-Profit of the Year
Conexiones, Inc. – Howard County
Nominator: Danilsa Marciniak
Educator of the Year
Gigi Guzman – Baltimore City
Nominator: Carmen Ortiz Larsen
Volunteer Service Award
Bettina Guevara – Montgomery County
Nominator: Leslie Wieczieck
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sonia Stockton – Baltimore County
Nominator: Anthony Ruiz
Health Care Champion
Dr. Cesar Palacios, MD, MPH – Montgomery County
Nominators: C. Garvey, M. Granthon-Gerdine, S. Galen, C. Stone
Faith-Based Champion
Seton Center Catholic Charities – Somerset County
Nominators: Bridgette Devaney and Elizabeth Bellavance
Chair’s Award - Community Champion
Erick Gutierrez – Montgomery County
Nominator: Walkiria Pool and Christina Diaz-Malone
Chair’s Award – Community Champion
Pedro Baggio – Prince George’s County
Nominator: Jessy Mejia
Read more from BMORENEWS.COM
TGR: Guest Editorial: Heroes Will Emerge! By Armstrong Williams:
The continuing embarrassing situation became a desperate matter for Ms. Gallo in the Rhode Island public school system. The shameless teachers and administrators boasted an average salary of $72,000 - $78,000 a year in a town where the average salary was only $22,000.Thankfully, Ms. Gallo became fed up and demanded that student results become a priority for these hypocritical and selfish teachers and demanded six changes that she knew would turn around the unaccountability of that school. These changes included: Being subjected to new standards of professional evaluations, adding 25 minutes to the work day, meeting with other professionals weekly for planning sessions, eating lunch with students one day a week, a two-week training session in the summer, and tutoring, occasionally: All of which I am shocked were not a priority and demanded from these teachers in the first place. Read in Full >>
CMS or what?:
Recently, I've had several conversations with clients on the benefits of moving their web sites to a web content management system or CMS. I currently use Wordpress for my web site, but I have also used Joomla, Drupal, Expression Engine, and Simple Updates. For a list and description of some popular CMS software go to CMS Critic, this by no means lists every system, but it does a good overview of many systems. I am a big fan of open-source CMS, but as long as you use one, it will be a good step in the right direction. Read in Full >>
BMORENEWS.com presents The Wayne Curry Soiree on Thurs., March 18th:
To speak, please call 202.756.4865. Read in Full >>
TGR: Walk to Cure Diabetes by Lakrisha White:
My son, Jay, has been living with type 1 diabetes for a little over a year now. He's managing his diabetes with an insulin pump. Last fall he met with Senator Mikulski as part of JDRF's Promise to Remember Me Campaign. The campaign consists of coordinated meetings where children and teen diabetics are able to share their personal stories face-to-face with members of Congress so lawmakers can hear first hand about living with type 1 diabetes. The meetings ensure that research funding continues to be expanded and the needs of those with diabetes are included in legislation. Read in Full >>
TGR: Will Leronia Josey Make County History?:
Baltimore County Councilman Ken Oliver could have his hands full this election season - that is, if Ms. Josey decides to put her bid in for his seat. While Oliver is the first black to serve on the County Council, a loss to Josey would make her the first black woman to serve on the Baltimore County Council - a crew that consists mostly of white males. Move over, guys!
A black president; a possible black governor; seems only logical to me.
Read in Full >>