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October 10,
2007
Contact:
Tatiana Guerra
202-434-8070
Illinois State Senator
Iris Martinez Honored With Health Leadership
Award
Washington,
DC – Illinois State Senator Iris Martinez was
recently honored with the Health Leadership
Award during the 2007 Health Disparities
Conference held in September this year. The
conference is hosted by the National Hispanic
Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) and National
Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). The
Health Disparities Leadership Award is presented
each year to a legislator from each organization
who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to
addressing health disparities in their community.
Senator Martinez has served in the Illinois
Senate since 2003, representing a district on
the North side of Chicago. She is the first
Hispanic woman ever elected to the State Senate,
and she made history again when she became the
first Latina ever appointed to a Leadership
position in January of 2007. In addition to
serving as Assistant Majority Leader, Martinez
also is the Vice-Chair of the Pensions and
Investments Committee and is a member of the
Executive, Labor, Housing and Community Affairs,
and Public Health Committees.
Senator Martinez has been recognized for her
dedicated service to her constituents and
families throughout the state, especially in the
areas of healthcare, education, pension reform,
and women’s rights. She was recently honored by
MANA, a national organization of Latinas that
recognizes individuals who have achieved
“firsts” in their careers, with a “Las Primeras
Award.” In recognition of her accomplishments,
in 2004, Senator Martinez was awarded the
Hillary Rodham Clinton Leadership Award
presented to an outstanding female elected
official by the Illinois Democratic Women’s
organization. She also received the prestigious
Profile in Courage Award from Planned Parenthood
for sponsoring a bill providing insurance
coverage for contraceptives.
# # #
The National Hispanic Caucus of State
Legislators is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization of state legislators across the
nation, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Its mission is to organize, educate and focus
the energies of nearly 300 Hispanics who
comprise its membership in order to have a
positive impact on their communities. NHCSL
advocates for better housing, education, health
care, and business opportunities in the private
and public sectors for Hispanics nationwide.
www.nhcsl.com
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