The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) has awarded U. S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-Texas) and ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson with the Inspira Award for their leadership in education for Latinos and for inspiring a new generation of Hispanic leaders in the U.S., the organization said.
The Inspira Award was created to honor Latino leaders who inspire youth in the public and private sector and in the media. Hinojosa and Tillerson were honored on Capitol Hill during the 11th Annual Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards in Washington, D.C., which also recognized more than 20 outstanding students from the region.
“The Inspira Award recognizes those who have taken a leadership role in breaking barriers and creating opportunities for Hispanic youth,” said HHF President and CEO Jose Antonio Tijerino. “We commend Rex Tillerson for his vision in encouraging and facilitating young Latinos to focus on science, technology, math and engineering through our Youth Awards and countless other efforts including the National Math and Science Initiative.”
HHF said Tillerson and ExxonMobil have a long history of support for programs that improve opportunities for minorities and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, programs that recognize the urgent need to encourage more Hispanic students and professionals to attain higher educational achievements and support initiatives that deliver high-quality educational programs. Ultimately, it prepares Hispanics for leadership in the workforce and in the classroom.
“To be recognized by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a great honor,” Tillerson said. “In today’s challenging fields such as technology and energy, our nation needs more brilliant minds than ever before, that’s why we support programs like the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Youth Awards’ Engineering and Mathematics category, which emphasize the importance of role models, including those who have succeeded in the math and science fields, while celebrating the unique Latino culture that brings added strength and dimension to our nation’s workforce.”