Governor Quinn Announces 2014 "Governor's Awards for Excellence" in the Latino Community

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today will announce the winners of the "2014 Governor's Awards for Excellence" in the fields of community health, the arts, education/workforce development and community relations at his annual Latino Heritage Month Reception at 6 p.m. at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, 1852 W. 19th St. Governor Quinn will also honor trailblazers who were featured recently in the "Latinos Building Illinois" exhibit in the James R. Thompson Center.

This year's Awardees are:

• Excellence in Latino Art: Oscar Romero
• Excellence in Education and Workforce Development: Juan Salgado
• Excellence in Community Health: Judy Guitelman

"Our 2014 Awardees personify the vision, intellect and heart of Illinois' Latino community," Governor Quinn said. "Judy Guitelman's relentless advocacy for Latina cancer survivors, Juan Salgado's innovative work at the Instituto del Progreso Latino and Oscar Romero's dazzling murals make the Land of Lincoln a better place for everyone."

The "2013 Governor's Award for Excellence" went to public health pioneer Carmen Velásquez, a long-time advocate for health care and immigration reform. Meet this year's Awardees:

• Born in Mexico City, muralist Oscar Romero has studios in Chicago and Mexico, and is a major reason Chicago has been a driving force in the muralist movement. He is known for his vibrant, playful wall murals, such as those at the Puerto Vallarta Airport and UNAM-Chicago (National Autonomous University of Mexico), and his popular Chicago Fire soccer mural in Pilsen.
• Argentine-born Judy Guitelman is a champion for survivors of breast cancer (of which she is one). In 2011, she founded ALAS (Asociación Latina de Asistencia y Prevención del Cáncer de Mama) to help Latinas with assistance and education. It provides innovative programs like the "The Mobile Salon" to provide wigs and prostheses to cancer victims.
• For 13 years, Juan Salgado has headed the Instituto del Progreso Latino, which promotes best-practice models for workforce development, training and adult education. His commitment to empowering Latinos includes service as Chicago Park District Commissioner and Board Member of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Governor Quinn appointed Salgado to the Illinois Workforce Investment Board.

The theme for the Governor's 2014 Latino Heritage Month observances is "Latinos Building Illinois." Governor Quinn hosted an exhibit in the James R. Thompson Center celebrating the accomplishments of Latinos who build Illinois' railroads, highways and waterways, design our buildings, and fight for workers' rights. He will salute these trailblazers today, as well, including:

• Olgha Sierra Sandman, who strengthened the voices of Latino workers. Sierra Sandman - with help from César Chávez - organized farmworkers in Onarga, Illinois in the 1970s, leading to enactment of the "Illinois Field Sanitation Act of 1983," a model for workers in other states.
• Governor Quinn saluted several award-winning Illinois Latino architects who are "building strong visions" including Patricia Saldaña Natke of UrbanWorks - who designed La Casa Dormitories - and Edward Torres - who led the renovation of the Hyatt Regency Chicago and chairs Los Arquitectos, a not-for-profit which showcases Latinos in architecture and design.
• The number of Latino-owned road-builders receiving contracts from the State has doubled in five years and the size of those contracts has soared. The Governor honored one such contractor - Brenda Garza Karhoff - who, as a young Mexican-American growing up in Danville, was fascinated by a high school bridge-building contest. This interest in engineering led to a successful career in which her firm has built bridges, highways and water systems across Illinois.
• To inspire future builders, Governor Quinn will hail rising stars in STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics): Jesus "Chuy" Chavez (software engineer at Google Takeout), Guillermo Garcia (Founder of the engineering firm GSG Consulting), Dr. Pedro Cevallos-Candau (Co-Founder of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), Robert Hernandez (structural engineer and bridge builder) and Edwin Flores Almazan (civil engineer).

"This exhibit shows how Latinos helped transform our Prairie State into the breadbasket, transportation hub, economic engine and global state it is today," Governor Quinn said. "And through STEM, 21st Century job training and innovative green architecture, Illinois Latinos are building a vibrant future for us all."

For more on Governor Quinn's Latino Heritage Month: http://latinoheritage.illinois.gov.

Related Documents
Noticias en Español (PDF)