WASHINGTON, D.C. – MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) paid tribute in Washington, D.C. to three leaders who have dedicated themselves to furthering the Latino community.
“These are challenging times for those who seek to advance fairness and equity, especially on behalf of the growing Latino community,” said MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz. “We are especially in need of leaders like our extraordinary honorees at times like this.”
United States Representative Joaquin Castro, 20th District of Texas, was given the Excellence in Government Service Award for his years of service to his community as a state legislator and a member of the United States Congress. Born and raised in San Antonio, Castro, has dedicated his life and career to the well-being of his constituents. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, Congressman Castro serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He was the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for the 116th Congress. A self-described “proud product of the public school system” and a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, Castro has demonstrated a commitment to education and literacy. He created a program that helps pay for underprivileged kids to go on college tours that exposes them to the nation’s best colleges and universities. He also founded San Antonio’s largest literacy campaign and book drive. Rep. Castro is in the second generation of the Castro family to be honored by MALDEF. In the 1980s, the organization recognized Castro’s mother, Rosie, for her work on behalf of the Latino community.
“I am honored to receive the Excellence in Government Service Award,” Rep. Castro said. “From a young age, my mother, Rosie Castro, instilled in my brother and me a deep appreciation for the democratic process and importance of serving one’s community. I feel privileged to support MALDEF’s litigation efforts in supporting voting rights and equitable education and advancing justice for Latino communities.”
Judge Kenia Seoane Lopez, Associate Judge, Superior Court of the District of Columbia, received the Excellence in Legal Service Award. Born in Cuba, Lopez moved to the U.S. at age 10. She attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and graduated with her law degree in 2002. After law school, Lopez clerked for the Massachusetts Superior Court. She then joined the office of the attorney general for the District of Columbia. While there, she worked in the legal services division of the child support department before becoming a bilingual attorney negotiator in the domestic violence division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In 2021, Lopez was appointed by President Joe Biden to the District of Columbia Superior Court; before that, she served as a Magistrate Judge.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Excellence in Legal Service Award from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund,” said Judge Seoane Lopez. “This recognition reaffirms my lifelong commitment to public service and the rule of law. I share this award with the many individuals and communities who continue to inspire me in their pursuit of fairness and justice, which is the bedrock of the American Dream.”
The Excellence in Community Service Award was given to Mark Hugo Lopez, Director of Race and Ethnicity Research, Pew Research Center, in recognition of his work surveying and studying the nation’s diverse, changing racial and ethnic landscape. He is an expert on surveying Hispanic, Asian, Black and multiracial populations; measuring racial and ethnic identity; Latino politics and culture; and the U.S. Hispanic and Asian American populations. Lopez has edited and co-authored books on global migration trends, and on the First Amendment. He has also contributed chapters to several books about youth civic engagement, Puerto Rico, young Latinos and voting.
“I'm deeply honored to receive this award from MALDEF,” said Lopez. “It recognizes the vital importance of work that seeks to understand the attitudes, beliefs and lived experiences of Latinos—because their stories and perspectives help shape the nation’s future.”
MALDEF recognizes the significant contributions of these outstanding leaders and their dedication to advancing civil rights for all. The event draws notable government and community leaders from around the nation.