The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) yesterday honored Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA 18) and Congressman Jose E. Serrano (D-NY 15) for their outstanding public service at the 6th Annual NHMC Washington, D.C. Impact Awards Reception, held at the National Association of Broadcasters' headquarters. Also honored was Joseph Torres, Senior External Affairs Director of Free Press, for outstanding advocacy work.
In rousing acceptance speeches, honorees spoke to the need for a democratic media through which Latinos can share their stories. Other speakers included former Impact Award honorees, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel.
At the annual event, NHMC honors public servants, community leaders, and media professionals and entities, whose achievements, generosity of spirit, and courage under fire have greatly benefited the welfare of the nation in the areas of media and telecommunications. The National Association of Broadcasters, the Reception Sponsor, generously hosted the event for the fifth time.
About the Honorees:
- Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA 18) has served in Congress since 1993 and currently serves the people of the 18th Congressional District of California. She is the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, a position from which she has tirelessly advocated for consumer-focused technology and telecommunications policy. Congresswoman Eshoo is one of NHMC's strongest champions in Congress in many issues that affect Latinos across the country, having advocated for Lifeline modernizations, strong Net Neutrality protections, and media diversity.
- Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY 15) has served in Congress since 1990 and before that was a member of the New York State Assembly for 15 years. Congressman Serrano serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, where he is a staunch defender of the FCC's budget-protecting its ability to protect consumers across the country. Through that role, he is also asked time and again to defend important FCC policies from harmful budget riders and push the FCC to do more when required. Among other things, the Congressman has been an outspoken champion on hate speech, media diversity, Net Neutrality, and broadband access and adoption.
- Joseph Torres currently serves as Senior External Affairs Director for Free Press in Washington, DC. A longtime friend and ally of NHMC, Joe is an accomplished author, having co-written the New York Times Bestseller, News for All the People: The Epic Story of Race and the American Media. Joe has an extensive background in journalism, having served as deputy director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. He also serves on the board for the Center of Media Justice and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. His published works, including his books, are used in universities across the country, helping train the next generation of advocates.
Photographs from the 6th Annual NHMC Washington, D.C. Impact Awards Reception will be available at
www.flickr.com/nhmc.
Platinum sponsors included Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, Entravision Communications Corporation, Fox Audience Strategy, Sprint and T-Mobile. Several other donors also provided generous support for the event. Their tax-deductible gifts to the National Hispanic Media Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, support NHMC's mission.
