Skip to main content

Main navigation

About Us
Public Policy
Media Gallery & Events
Press Room
- Releases & Statements
- In the News
Resources
- Organizations
- Immigration
Contact Us

California Latino Legislative Caucus

2014 Latino Spirit Awards

April 04, 2015

Pictured (from left to right): Ezequiel Peña, Mario Gutierrez, Pete Escovedo, Danny Trejo, Cain Velasquez, Sheila E., Speaker John A. Pérez, Sebastien De La Cruz, Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez, John Quiñones, Nora Vargas (HOPE), Carrie Lopez (HOPE), Helen Iris Torres (HOPE), and Hon. Cruz M. Bustamante.

Sebastien de La Cruz sings the Star Spangled Banner before the 2014 Latino Spirit Award ceremony

Sebastien de La Cruz sings the Star Spangled Banner before the 2014 Latino Spirit Award ceremony

Sebastien de La Cruz sings the Star Spangled Banner before the 2014 Latino Spirit Award ceremony

Latino Caucus Chairman, Senator Ricardo Lara & Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez at the 2014 Latino Spirit Awards

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cain Velasquez, Achievement in Athletics

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cain Velasquez, Achievement in Athletics. Cain Velasquez is a mixed martial artist fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he is the heavyweight champion. He is a first-generation American with deep pride in his Mexican heritage, and is the first Latino ever to win the world heavyweight title in any major combat sport. Velasquez has a strong claim to being one of the best heavyweights ever as a two-time and reigning UFC champion. He has already set UFC be

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cain Velasquez, Achievement in Athletics

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cain Velasquez, Achievement in Athletics. Cain Velasquez is a mixed martial artist fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he is the heavyweight champion. He is a first-generation American with deep pride in his Mexican heritage, and is the first Latino ever to win the world heavyweight title in any major combat sport. Velasquez has a strong claim to being one of the best heavyweights ever as a two-time and reigning UFC champion. He has already set UFC be

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez, Achievement in Law & Public Service. Honoree Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez being escorted by Assembly Member Jimmy Gomez and Assembly Member Jose Medina

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez, Achievement in Law & Public Service. Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in 1992, becoming the first Latina of Mexican heritage to be appointed to the Federal Bench. She served as Chief Judge of the District Court, as a Judge of the Superior Court in San Diego County, and as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of California. Judge Gonzalez is a founding Member of La

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Mario Gutierrez, Achievement in Athletics. Honoree Mario Gutierrez is being escorted by Assembly Member Ian Calderon and Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérez

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Mario Gutierrez, Achievement in Athletics. Mario Gutierrez is a Mexican thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He began racing Quarter Horses in his native Veracruz and in Mexico City at the age 14. In 2006 he emigrated to Canada where he won riding titles in 2007 and 2008. In 2012 he rode ‘I'll Have Another’ and won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. He followed it up with a win in the Santa Anita Derby, and on May 5, 2012, Mario rode his w

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Ezequiel Peña, Achievement in Arts & Entertainment. Honoree Ezequiel Peña is being escorted by Senator Ben Hueso and Assembly Member Anthony Rendon

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Ezequiel Peña, Achievement in Arts & Entertainment. Ezequiel Peña is recognized as one of the leaders in both mariachi and banda music. He began his career at the age of 12, mostly influenced by local traditional music. In the early 90’s Ezequiel was the lead singer of Banda Vallarta Show, but left to pursue his solo career. He achieved international recognition in the mid-'90s after teaming up with Marco Antonio Solís to release “Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Verdes” in 1994 and “Org

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), Achievement in Community Empowerment. Honorees are being escorted by Assembly Member Henry T. Perea

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), Achievement in Community Empowerment. Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy, and education. HOPE was founded in 1989 by a dynamic and politically influential group of Latinas representing the full spectrum of business, political, and social tenets. In 1999, the organization establi

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree John Quiñones, Achievement in Journalism. Honoree John Quiñones being escorted by Senator Alex Padilla and Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree John Quiñones, Achievement in Journalism. John Quiñones is a seven time national Emmy Award winning news anchor and journalist who has a 25-year tenure at ABC News. He is the anchor of “What Would You Do?,” one of the highest-rated newsmagazine franchises of recent years. Quiñones has reported extensively for all programs and platforms at ABC News and served as anchor of “Primetime.” He joined ABC News in June 1982 as a general assignment correspondent based in Miami, prov

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Danny Trejo, Achievement in Arts & Entertainment. Honoree Danny Trejo is escorted by Assembly Member Raul Bocanegra & Assembly Member Cristina Garcia

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Danny Trejo, Achievement in Arts & Entertainment. Danny Trejo has developed a prolific career in the entertainment industry, yet his road to success has been hard earned and anything but typical. From imprisonment to helping young people battle drug addiction, acting to producing, the name, face, and achievements of Danny Trejo are well recognized in Hollywood. He has stared in dozens of films including Desperado, the From Dusk ‘Til Dawn film series, Heat, Con-Air, and the

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sheila E., Achievement in Arts & Entertainment

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sheila E., Achievement in Arts & Entertainment

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sheila E., Achievement in Arts & Entertainment

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sheila E., Achievement in Arts & Entertainment. Emmy and Grammy Nominee Sheila E. picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the age of three while watching her legendary father, percussionist Pete Escovedo rehearse. She became a top session and touring musician before the age of 19, performing and/or recording with George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Con Funk Shun and countless others. Soon to follow with Marvin Gaye on his final world tour, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, a

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sebastien De La Cruz, Dynamic Youth Award. Honoree Sebastien De La Cruz is being escorted by Assembly Member Rudy Salas and Senator Norma J. Torres

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sebastien De La Cruz, Dynamic Youth Award. "El charro de oro" Sebastien De La Cruz is one of the most talented young mariachi vocalists in the U.S. He was a contestant on "America's Got Talent" during the summer of 2012, where he performed five times with over 12 million viewers each performance. He has opened for the internationally acclaimed Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and has also performed with Mariachi Sol de Mexico. He sang the National Anthem during two nationall

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cruz Bustamante, Achievement in Public Service. Honoree Cruz Bustamante is being escorted by Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, Senator Ed Hernandez, and Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cruz M. Bustamante, Achievement in Public Service. The Hon. Cruz M. Bustamante represented Fresno and Tulare counties with 30 years of public service. He was the highest-ranking elected Latino officeholder in America until 2003 and is the only Latino elected to statewide office in the 20th Century as California’s 45th Lieutenant Governor. Bustamante was also the first Latino elected Speaker of the State Assembly. He succeeded in winning 5 California Statewide campaigns an

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cain Velasquez introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cain Velasquez with Senators Holly Mitchell and Norma J. Torres

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sheila E. introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Hon. Cruz M. Bustamante introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) introduced on the Senate Floor. Pictured (from left to right): Carrie Lopez, Helen Iris Torres, Nora Vargas with Latino Caucus Chairman Senator Ricardo Lara

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Mario Gutierrez introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Mario Gutierrez introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sebastien "El Charro de Oro" De La Cruz introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Danny Trejo introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Danny Trejo pictured with State Senators

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honorees Cain Velasquez & Danny Trejo with Senator Lou Correa

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Ezequiel Peña introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez introduced on the Senate Floor

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree John Quiñones introduced on the Senate Floor by Latino Caucus Chairman Senator Ricardo Lara

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honoree John Quiñones with Senators Lou Correa & Kevin De León

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honorees. Pictured (from left to right): Helen Torres (HOPE), Carrie Lopez (HOPE), Sebastien De La Cruz, Sheila E., Danny Trejo, Latino Caucus Chairman Senator Ricardo Lara, Honorable Cruz M. Bustamante, Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez, Ezequiel Peña, Mario Gutierrez, Cain Velasquez, and John Quiñones.

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honorees. Pictured (from left to right): Mario Gutierrez, Sebastien De La Cruz, and Ezequiel Peña

Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sebastien De La Cruz, "El Charro de Oro"

Latino Spirit Award Honoree for Community Empowerment, HOPE. Achievement in Community Empowerment, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE)

Latino Spirit Award Honoree Mario Gutierrez

Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sheila E. with her father Pete Escovedo

Latino Spirit Award Honoree Cain Velasquez

Latino Spirit Award Honoree Ezequiel Peña "El Nuevo Charro de Mexico"

Assembly Member Luis Alejo with Latino Spirit Award Honoree Sebastien De La Cruz

Assembly Member Susan Talamantes Eggman takes selfie with Latino Spirit Award Honoree Danny Trejo

Latino Spirit Award Honorees Danny Trejo & Cain Velasquez

Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez with Latino Spirit Award Honorees Danny Trejo & John Quiñones

Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Campos with Latino Spirit Award Honorees John Quiñones & Danny Trejo

Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Nora Campos with Latino Spirit Award Honoree John Quiñones

Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérez with Latino Spirit Award Honoree Danny Trejo

Asm. Luis Alejo with Latino Spirit Award Honoree Ezequiel Peña

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honorees. Pictured from Left to Right: Helen Torres (HOPE), Carrie Lopez (HOPE), Sebastien De La Cruz, Sheila E., Danny Trejo, Latino Caucus Chairman Senator Ricardo Lara, Honorable Cruz M. Bustamante, Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez, Ezequiel Peña, Mario Gutierrez, Cain Velasquez, and John Quiñones.

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honorees

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honorees

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honorees

2014 Latino Spirit Award Honorees

How can we help?

Member Directory Gubernatorial Appointments Sponsorship Requests Find Your Legislator Contact Us

Follow Us:

Follow Us:

California Latino Legislative Caucus, All Rights Reserved. © 2026 | Privacy and Conditions of Use