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Touting our own

Hall of Fame recipients reflect accomplishments of Latino community

What do Arizona’s only Mexican-American governor, a renowned architect whose designs include the Scottsdale Civic Center and a Tucson-native known as the mother of bilingual education have in common?

They are just three of the 18 people who have been inducted into a Hall of Fame honoring exceptional Latinos statewide. Organizers say the lifelong achievement award spotlights the often-overlooked work of Hispanic leaders and innovators.

"The contributions of Latinos to the community were not being recognized" before the Profiles of Success awards program, says Carlos Galindo-Elvira, vice president of development and community relations for Valle del Sol.

Because of that lack of recognition, in 1990 the Valley of the Sun United Way, US West and Salt River Project teamed with Valle Del Sol to create what has become the state’s most prestigious Latino awards event. The guest list has grown from just 250 that first year to more than 1,700 last year.

The Hall of Fame award is the highest honor given during the annual fundraising event.

State representative Pete Rios, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004, says Profiles of Success has become a signature event for Arizona’s Latino community. "Sometimes we have a reputation of keeping down our own: this is just the opposite. (The ceremony) appreciates those people that put in extra effort to ensure that we float everyone’s boat."

Besides politics, the Hall of Fame includes nearly every field from the military (Medal of Honor recipient Silvestre Herrera) to the law (retired Superior Court judge Armando de León) to education (María Vega who launched the bilingual program at Phoenix Union High School in 1969).

That diversity is a "reflection of Latinos in our community," Galindo says. "We’re involved in all fields. We’re making an impact everywhere."

WIDESPREAD RECOGNITION

The first inductee was an obvious choice: former Governor Raul Castro (1975-1977) who remains the sole Mexican-American to lead the state. Other political leaders who have been honored include Adam Diaz, the first Mexican-American to serve on the Phoenix City Council and Representative Ed Pastor who has served 15 years in the U.S. Congress.

Pastor was one of two people honored for their national level leadership. The other was Raul Yzaguirre, who led the National Council of La Raza from 1974 to 2004.

Education is another area that has been well-represented in the Hall of Fame. Maria Luisa Urquides was honored as one of the first proponents of bilingual education. Armida G. Bittner was recognized for her longtime service as Gila County’s Superintendent of Schools while Rene Díaz was honored for more than 35 years in education as superintendent of Phoenix Union High School District and Phoenix Elementary District.

Those in the arts include Bennie M. Gonzales, a well-known architect of public and private buildings in the state and Tucson-native Eduardo "Lalo" Guerrero, who is considered the father of Chicano music.

Being included in this list means far more than just receiving a bronze statuette, Hall of Famers say. It’s an emotional event, shared with friends, family and colleagues.

José and Frances Burruel are one of two couples that have been inducted. Community activists Elias and Cecilia Esquer of Tempe were inducted in 2002 with the Burruels following in 2005.

José says he still gets choked up when he considers what the honor means. "It just takes your breath away. It’s so humbling, even now everybody tells me congratulations and shakes my hand," says Jose, whose community service includes being a charter member of Valle Del Sol when it began 35 years ago.

The Burruels share a long list of years of community involvement but say they were a "little embarrassed" when they learned they had been chosen.

"We do a lot of advocacy but we don’t do any of it thinking that there will be a reward," Frances says. She believes the annual awards are important "for the non-Hispanic world to know about Hispanics who are working in the community."

José puts it more bluntly, "It’s about time we start putting our best foot forward and letting the world know that some people out there are doing a hell
of a job."

THIS YEAR’S HONOREE

Gema Duarte Luna, director of Hispanic Outreach for Arizona State University Foundation, has attended every Profiles of Success since they began 16 years ago. This year, for the first time, she submitted a nomination for the Hall of Fame and will see her nominee, Ronnie López, inducted this month. López has been a community advocate and leader for more than 30 years.

"He is absolutely deserving of the Hall of Fame award," Luna says as she recalls being in college when she first met López, who was an advisor to Governor Bruce Babbitt. "He was very much a supporter and mentor to Latino students here at ASU."

Luna spent about a week gathering the nomination, but says it was worth the effort. "He has an incredible history. This award is long overdue. If anybody fits all the criteria then he fits it, he meets it and then some."

2006 PROFILES OF SUCCESS RECIPIENTS

RONNIE LÓPEZ - Hall of Fame
HON. BARBARA RODRIGUEZ MUNDELL - Special Recognition
GREGORY E. TORREZ - Raul Yzaguirre Community Leadership Award
MARK MAZON - Exemplary Leadership Award
PAULINA VAZQUEZ MORRIS - Exemplary Leadership
GARY TRUJILLO - Exemplary Leadership
GLORIA SESMA AND SILVIA SALAS - Rosa Carillo Torres Humanitarian Award
FRANK Q. CARRILLO - Latino Advocacy Champion
DR. NORBERTO ADAME, JR. - Latino Achievement in Health & Sciences
RYAN RIEDEL - Manuel Ortega Youth Leadership Award