PHOENIX, Ariz., 2/11/11– The United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) announced today that Congresswoman Giffords’ hero, Daniel Hernandez Jr., will be recognized at the twenty-ninth Annual National Conference of USHLI from February 17-20, 2011, in Chicago, Illinois.
Daniel Hernandez Jr. will be recognized at the National Hispanic Hero Award Dinner. The dinner will be held Saturday, February 19, 2011, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“To be honored by USHLI is unbelievable” said Hernandez Jr. “I really do not consider myself a hero, but I am extremely humbled by the idea that great organizations, such as USHLI believe that I am. To me, the real heroes are the people that spend their entire lives helping others. I believe in honest public service and doing the right thing, which is why I thank USHLI for their work in highlighting our community and fighting for what is right. “
Daniel Hernandez Jr., political science junior at the University of Arizona, is a student advocate and political activist from Tucson, AZ. Currently, he serves as a Congressional Intern for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and is an Arizona Students Association Fellow. Daniel began his political activism in 2007 working on the Hillary for President campaign and in 2008, worked on the Gabrielle Giffords congressional campaign. Since 2010, he has served as a member on the City of Tucson Commission on LGBT Issues.
The USHLI Conference is the premier Hispanic leadership conference in the nation, attracting a complete cross-section of our community leaders and involving all ancestry groups. The conference welcomes about 6,500 present and future leaders representing over 500 cities in 40 states. A 2010 participant survey found that 60% were 18-35 years of age, 57% were women and 84% were attending or had already completed college.
The United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), a non-profit, non-partisan organization, is one of the most powerful nationally and internationally recognized Latino organizations in the country. By promoting empowerment and civic responsibility, USHLI constantly strives to improve and adapt our society to the ever changing complexion of the nation. USHLI organizes and conducts nonpartisan voter registration and leadership development programs in 40 states and hundreds of communities. The organization is headquartered in Chicago, Il. with an office in Washington, D.C. Additional information on the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute can be found at www.ushli.org.