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Campos
was very appreciative and asked her many supporters through the
years to come forward and be recognized. She was especially
appreciative of Monica
Morales, now 24, who was “her baby” in her Head Start
program at the age of 2.
“We
must go forward and I give my Chávez pin to Monica to pass on to
future generations,” said
Campos
, telling Monica to “wear it with honor.” The late Sofia
Quintero gave the pin to
Campos
.
Morales,
who graduates from the
University
of
Toledo
in May, is a co-coordinator of Baile
Latino, which is scheduled for May 28 at the UT Student Union
Auditorium.
Campos
praised Chávez as being a warrior “going one step forward,”
much as his ancestors did when they settled California and
Arizona, describing the meaning of “Adelante,” an expression often used by her father, when he
exclaimed, “Go one step forward each generation!”
Toledo
City Council President Louis
Escobar presented
Campos
with a resolution from city council, exalting her years of service
to the community. Escobar
had also provided a resolution praising Chávez.
This
year’s nominees included: Margarita De León, Alberto Flores,
Greg Guzmán, Nellie Mattox, Amelia Nava, and Lucy Amparo Weaver.
Dolores Rodríguez was the 2003 recipient. No Awards banquet was
held in 2004, according to its executive director, Sonia Troche.
As
part of this year’s Chávez Awards Banquet, Adelante, Inc.
present its Amigo Award, which is presented to an individual, corporation,
agency and/or organization instrumental to Adelante’s overall
success, to Jay Salvage.
According to
Adelante’s director, Sonia
Troche, the Award recipient has provided leadership, support,
and encouragement to the Adelante’s Board of Directors,
management, and staff.
Amigo
Award nominees included: Chief Michael Navarre & Lt. Ronald
Navarro, City of Toledo Police Department; Audrey Weiss-Maag, of
Service Development Specialist United Way
of Greater Toledo; and the late
Ohio
state representative John García.
De
León and Josh Flores were the MCs, with the meal, drink, and song
provided by El Camino Real, including horchata.
Jesse Ponce and Sylvestre Duran were some of the entertainers.
Mayor
Jack Ford and family were in attendance.
Ford had previously prepared a proclamation concerning Chávez
and his accomplishments, making it clear that he was prepared to
name something in honor of this Mexican-American labor and civil
rights leader once the Latino community decided on the proper
venue. Photos can be viewed
at www.laprensatoledo.com.
Jesús
García is keynote speaker
Jesús
García, executive director of La Villita “
Mexican
Village
” in
Chicago
’s west side, was the keynote speaker.
García was the first Mexican Senator for the state of
Illinois
and is a longtime community activist. Born
in
Durango
, México, he moved to the
United States
four decades ago.
García
applauded César Chávez: 1) for being a warrior of health care,
helping create the Robert F. Kennedy Health Clinics in
California
; 2) for stressing the importance of access
to education; and 3) for enhancing the political empowerment of
Latinos.
García
also thanked Baldemar Velásquez and FLOC for aiding in the
transcontinental guestworker movement.
“¡Si Se Puede!”
concluded García.
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