HispanicBusiness

The presentation of the 22nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Foundation Awards will take place on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 29. The awards were created in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The event is the highlight of the year for the organization, which recognizes efforts to identify, inspire, prepare and position Latino leadership in the classroom, community and the workforce.

Chairman Pedro Jose Greer Jr., who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom last month, stated, "The honorees serve as role models not only for Latinos but for all Americans."

The 2009 honorees include:

*Green Award: Rock group Mana, founders of the Selva Negra Foundation, focused on improving the environment to benefit the children of the world.

*Humanitarian Award: Artist Romero Britto, known for his vibrant colors and unique interpretation of Pop art style, the founder of the Britto Foundation. *Education Award: Animated Dora the Explorer, Nick Jr.'s spunky, seven-year-old adventure-seeker gets kids going, exercising their minds and muscles, and developing their wits as they discover the world around them.

*Sports Award: Boxer Oscar de la Hoya, Olympic Gold medalist, holder of 10 world titles in six weight classes, and founder of Golden Boy Promotions.

*Math and Science Award: Mathematician and professor Richard A. Tapia, Director of Center for Excellence and Equity in Education and professor and Associate Director for Graduate Studies at Rice University.

*Arts Award: Singer Olga Tanon, Puerto-Rican-born former merengue singer who has broadened her appeal into pop, salsa and ballads as well.

*Leadership Award: Senator Robert Menendez, New Jersey's junior senator has made a career of standing up for families in local politics, the House, and now the Senate.