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November 7, 2007
Contact:
Tatiana Guerra
202-434-8070
National Hispanic Caucus Of State Legislators
Present Leadership Award To Arizona Representative Ben Miranda
Washington, DC – President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), New York State Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz, announced Arizona State Representative Ben Miranda as the recipient of the NHCSL John S. Martinez Excellence in Leadership Award.
“Representative Ben Miranda has consistently demonstrated a unique commitment to many causes, especially his efforts to ensure that the immigrant community receives fairness and justice,” said NHCSL President, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY).
The John S. Martinez Excellence in Leadership Award is named in honor of the late John S. Martinez, former Connecticut State Representative and NHCSL President in 2001-2002. The award is presented annually to a Hispanic legislator who embodies passion, dedication and great achievement in his/her political career. Representative Miranda will receive the award at the NHCSL 5th National Summit which will be held on November 15-18 in Miami.
“I am proud, honored and truly humbled to be recognized by the NHCSL. State Representative John S. Martinez’s legacy continues to live through the work and commitment of al members of NHCSL,” said Representative Miranda.
Representative Miranda comes from a farm worker family of 11 brothers and sisters. By age ten, he had attended over 15 different elementary schools in four different states. Miranda grew up in the Marcos de Niza Housing Projects of downtown Phoenix. He graduated from Phoenix Union High School and was drafted by the Army, where he served our country in the Vietnam conflict, and was awarded the Bronze Star. After attending Phoenix College and undergraduate studies at Arizona State University (ASU), he graduated with the Deans Award from ASU Law School, where he led a recruitment effort which increased minority law student enrollment.
In 1994, Representative Miranda received the City of Phoenix's First Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Living the Dream" Award. He currently serves on the Roosevelt School Board where he has been recognized for the hundreds of volunteer hours that he contributes to the children. His own law firm contributed hundreds of hours and over $100,000.00 in support of Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers. Representative Miranda has also represented World Boxing Champion Michael Carbajal. His practice has focused on personal injury law where his most recent case involves the death of a 13 year-old named Grizelda Zamora, who died from a ruptured appendix for alleged denial of timely medical attention. This landmark case has significant implications for the quality of medical treatment provided to low-income families throughout Arizona.
Representative Miranda currently is the Arizona Legislature’s Latino Caucus Co-Chair, has served on the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, American Red Cross, Valle del Sol and is involved in a $2,500,000.00 school reform plan for the Roosevelt School District. In addition to hosting a weekly radio program on legal issues, Representative Miranda has represented the City of Avondale, Pacific Gas and Electric and Local 383. Miranda has acquired a well deserved reputation for devoting countless hours of free legal advice to people in our community who could not otherwise obtain legal services. Representative Miranda is a devoted father to his daughters Elisa and Maritza.
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The NHCSL is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 300 Hispanic legislators. For more information visit www.nhcsl.org.
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