The National Alliance of Craftsmen Associations hosted it's 2nd Annual Banquet on Saturday November 7, 2009 at the Municipal Auditorium. Over 400 guest attended.
In partnership with the Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP), a new 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, NACA proudly announced the second annual 2009 William C. Velasquez Empowerment Awards followed by An Evening with Linda Rondstadt. The night was filled with excitement and surprises beginning with a champagne reception at 5:30 followed by the banquet and awards ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Three native San Antonians were awarded for their outstandig service to the community: Rolando Rios, Emma Tenayuca, and William Sinkin.
Like William C. Velasquez, these unique individuals have spent their lives dedicated and committed to fighting for social and economic justice. But the purpose of the awards ceremony wasn't merely to shed light on their accomplishments, but to acknowledge their struggles and triumphs by paying homage to their legacy.
The 2009 Honorees:
Rolando Rios was awarded the Community Empowerment Award for his never ending fight for justice within the legal system. Mr. Rios is a San Antonio lawyer who has battled city councils, commissioner courts, and countless school boards representing single-member voting districts. Mr. Rios is the former General Counsel for the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project and has been involved in redistricting for more than twenty years, resulting in over two hundred cases being litigated. Due to Mr. Rios' vast experience, he was called to testify before the United States Congress on the extension of the Federal Voting Rights Act in both 1978 and 1981. In addition, Mr. Rios is a disabled Viet Nam Veteran and was appointed by President Clinton to the presidential Task Force on the Gulf War Syndrome.
Emma Tenayuca was honored with The Legacy Award for her life-long dedication to women's rights in the 1930's. She is best known as a labor activist and organizer for creating a pecan shellers union in San Antonio. She was a pioneer and icon in the struggle for worker's rights and an outspoken voice for women. As writer Carmen Tafolla said during Emma Tenayuca's 1999 eulogy, "La Pasionaria, we called her, because she was our passion, because she was our heart -defendiendo a los pobres, speaking out at a time when neither Mexicans nor women were expected to speak at all."
William Sinkin was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for empowering the community of San Antonio through economic development and improving the community by opening opportunities for those traditionally denied. He co-founded Goodwill Industries in San Antonio and was involved in public housing issues while he chaired the board of the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA). In addition, he is known for his role as an advocate and catalyst for minority business development. Today, in 2009, Mr. Sinkin has spent the last ten years developing Solar San Antonio and still remains one of our communities most progressive and forward-thinking individuals.
An Evening with Linda Rondstadt
A very select few artists have been able to make such an impact in both the worlds of the English language mainstream pop charts as well as the Spanish language market, and revered by both at the same time!
In the hearts of tens of millions of Latinos in the US there is a unique and transcultural identity that flourishes as the American Latino Experience. Ronstadt's experience as a Latina from the American southwest has given her the roots to be able to be honest as a performer in a diversity of musical genres like Pop, Rock, Folk, Mexican-American, Latin Tropical, and Country. Her interesting history is a colorful make up of Rock and Roll folklore, distinctive honors for cultural diversity (such as an honorary doctorate and an ALMA Award), and of course barrier breaking accomplishments for female artists, at a time when only men were solo headliners.
She performed her legendary music alongside the world famous mariachi group Los Camperos de Nati Cano.
Rolando Rios was awarded the Community Empowerment Award for his never ending fight for justice within the legal system. Mr. Rios is a San Antonio lawyer who has battled city councils, commissioner courts, and countless school boards representing single-member voting districts. Mr. Rios is the former General Counsel for the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project and has been involved in redistricting for more than twenty years, resulting in over two hundred cases being litigated. Due to Mr. Rios' vast experience, he was called to testify before the United States Congress on the extension of the Federal Voting Rights Act in both 1978 and 1981. In addition, Mr. Rios is a disabled Viet Nam Veteran and was appointed by President Clinton to the presidential Task Force on the Gulf War Syndrome.
William Sinkin was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for empowering the community of San Antonio through economic development and improving the community by opening opportunities for those traditionally denied. He co-founded Goodwill Industries in San Antonio and was involved in public housing issues while he chaired the board of the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA). In addition, he is known for his role as an advocate and catalyst for minority business development. Today, in 2009, Mr. Sinkin has spent the last ten years developing Solar San Antonio and still remains one of our communities most progressive and forward-thinking individuals.
