Washington, D.C. – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva will be honored by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) with the Inspira Award for his leadership in education and for inspiring a new generation of leaders in the United States.

The Inspira Award was created to honor Latino leaders who inspire youth in the public and private sectors, as well as in the media.

Congressman Grijalva serves as chairman of the Education/Job Training Task Force for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee. He has worked tirelessly, throughout his career in public service, on issues that have been critical to realizing educational goals for the Latino community.

In 2007, Grijalva helped pass the College Cost Reduction Act, which allows students to pursue higher educational goals by making college more affordable. This past May, Grijalva testified at the House Education and Labor Committee Hearing on High School Reform where he advocated strategies for improving educational attainment among Latino students. He addressed issues, such as English Language Learners (ELL) and the high dropout rate within the Latino community.

“I am extremely honored to be chosen for this award,” said Grijalva. “If we are to close our nation’s achievement gap, we need to address the inequities that exist across our educational system. With innovation, effort and resources, we can create strong academic environment in which Latinos will be able to achieve and excel. A better, more accessible education for our youth is a fundamental right and I will continue to advance this cause through my work in Congress.”

Congressman Grijalva will also share the stage with recipients of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards. These are high school students who have demonstrated high levels of achievement in the classrooms and in their communities. They will be honored with grants to help fund their college education. Award categories include: Academic Excellence; Business; Education (future teachers); Engineering and Mathematics; Journalism; Leadership; Sports.

Also receiving the Inspira Award tonight are Don Omar, International Reggaeton Artist, and Southwest Airlines, the Official Airline of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards.

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, identifies, prepares, and positions Latino leaders in the community, classroom and workforce through national cultural, educational, and career development programs. For more information about the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, please visit www.HispanicHeritage.org