CHCI to Honor Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa at 35th Anniversary Awards Gala

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Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Jul 12, 2012, 10:32 ET

Internationally Renowned Neurosurgeon and Neuroscientist to Receive CHCI Chair's Award on September 13

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and its Chair Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez today announced that Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa will be awarded one of its highest honors—The Chair's Award—in recognition of his accomplishments, leadership, and outstanding service to the Latino community at CHCI's 35th Anniversary Awards Gala on September 13, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The event is the largest gathering of Latino leaders in the country and is part of CHCI's 35th Anniversary Hispanic Heritage Month events.

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"Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa's story of sacrifice, dedication, and the success of achieving the American Dream through hard work is a testament to the mission of the CHCI and the entire Latino community," said Chair Gonzalez. "Great leaders lead by setting an example and Dr. Quinones' life is an inspiration to us all."

Born in Mexacali, Mexico, Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa first came to the United States at the age of 19 looking for opportunities. Despite many personal struggles, he received a medical degree from Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude and went on to complete his residency in neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco. Currently, he is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University. In addition to directing the Brain Tumor Surgery Program and the Pituitary Surgery Program, Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa leads the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory. He conducts numerous research efforts on elucidating the role of stem cells in the origin of brain tumors and the potential role stem cells can play in fighting brain cancer and regaining neurological function. He also was named as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in 2008 and was selected by Popular Science magazine as one of their 6th Annual Brilliant Ten-in their search for young genius influencing the course of science.

"Dr. Quinones is a living case study of how an immigrant's dream can affect the future of our great society," said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO. "His achievements in the field of medicine and his willingness to help others reach their goals are an inspiration to all Latinos. We are proud to recognize his contribution to the community during our 35th Anniversary Awards Gala."

2012 marks the 35th Anniversary Awards Gala and will convene the nation's largest and most prestigious gathering of Hispanic nonpartisan, public, and private sector leaders at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 13. The evening's festivities will honor CHCI's past, present, and future and present CHCI's highest honors—the annual Chair's Award and the CHCI Medallion of Excellence awardees. These awards highlight the many rich contributions made by Latinos who have not only succeeded in their individual careers, but who also serve as positive role models and empower Latino youth to believe that anything is achievable through higher education, hard work, and pursuit of the American Dream. All events support CHCI's educational attainment and leadership development programs.

Actor, producer, comedian, and writer George Lopez and Lt. Col. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch (ret.) will receive the Medallion of Excellence Award at the Gala. The event will be celebrity hosted by Emmy Award-winning Univision News anchor and 2006 CHCI Chair's Award recipient Maria Elena Salinas. PepsiCo is the Host Sponsor and Univision is the Exclusive Media Partner of the CHCI 35th Anniversary Awards Gala.

Along with the Gala, CHCI's Hispanic Heritage Month Events include its Public Policy Conference and Reyes of Comedy. It also launches the national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 through October 15. Learn more at www.chci.org/2012HHM.

CHCI's Highest Honors past awardees.

About CHCI
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. For more information, call CHCI at (202) 543-1771, visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter (chci), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute