The National Hispanic Council of School Board Members (NHC) presented the 2022 Abrazo Award to Sen. Alex Padilla on Saturday. The award was given virtually during the NHC luncheon at NSBA’s annual conference in San Diego.

A progressive problem-solver, Padilla is the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate. He was appointed in January 2021 to complete the Senate term of Vice President Kamala Harris. The son of immigrants, Padilla grew up in the San Fernando Valley and studied Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was drawn to politics in response to California’s anti-immigrant Proposition 187. Padilla was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1999 and the State Senate in 2006. As California’s Secretary of State, he oversaw a historic expansion of voting rights and voter participation. Padilla serves as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety. He is a member of the Senate Committees on Budget; Environment and Public Works; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; Judiciary; and Rules.

Padilla’s top priority upon entering the U.S. Senate has been to address the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver equitable economic relief for working families and communities across California. Since being sworn into office, Padilla has established himself as a champion of voting rights, climate action, and ensuring everyone has a fair shot at the American dream.

Padilla is the first Latino to serve as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety. His first bill, the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, seeks to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who served as government-recognized essential workers in key sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

First presented in 1998, the Abrazo Award is given annually by the NHC to honor individuals who have committed their time, energy, and resources to improving educational opportunities for Latinx children. The term “abrazo” translates to “hug” or “embrace.” The name was suggested by former NHC President Octaviano “Tony” Gonzales, who is now included in the award’s name to honor the contributions he made in paving the way for Latinx school board members.