Golden Boy Boxing: De La Hoya Gets Hispanic Heritage Award

Ten-Time World Champion in six weight divisions Oscar de la Hoya will be recognized for his impact not only in the boxing community, but the Hispanic community as a whole, when he receives the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Award for Achievement in Sports this evening.

“I feel truly privileged to be receiving this award,” said De La Hoya. “To be recognized along with such influential members of the Hispanic community, is a great honor.”

This year marks the 22nd edition of the Hispanic Heritage Awards, which recognize six Latinos each year who are achievers, visionaries and who have thecharacter to make a difference in their community.

The awards will be presented inthe Senate Russell Building’s Russell Caucus Room on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and will feature performances by Olga Tañon, Chichi Peralta, Don Omar, Cristian Castro and La Quinta Estación.

Other honorees this year include Mexican rock band Maná, who will receive the 2009 “Green Award”; artist Romero Britto will be presented with the Humanitarian Award; Nickelodeon Cable Television will be recognized for the strides made in education; singer Olga Tañon will receive the Arts Award; mathematician and professor Richard A. Tapia will be honored with the Math and Science Award; and Senator Robert Menendez will be recognized with the Leadership Award.

The Hispanic Heritage Awards were created in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The awards have grown to become the most prestigious Hispanic honor and event in America; celebrating Hispanic pride, culture and accomplishment.

The ceremony is held annually in Washington, D.C. and boasts honorees like Dolores Huerta, José Feliciano, Rita Moreno, Sammy Sosa, Julia Alvarez, Carlos Gutierrez, Derek Parra, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Juan Marichal, John Leguizamo, Sandra Benitez, Ricky Martin, Isabel Allende, Sonia Manzano, Antonio Banderas and Jaime Escalante, among others.