On March 9^th, Native Hispanic Institute (NHI) President Marie Pilar Campos, several board members and project participants attended the morning legislative session to designate three state representatives as Native Hispanic Heroes. 

House Speaker Ben Lujan, Legislative Finance Committee Chairman Luciano “Lucky” Varela and Rules Committee Chairman Nick L. Salazar were “recognized by their peers and constituents for consistently listening to the voices of the people, seeking social and economic justice for the poor and protecting the Hispanic culture of the state.”

Representative Rhonda King (Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance counties) sponsored the certificate of appreciation on behalf of the House of Representatives and NHI.  The Native Hispanic Hero award is given to those who demonstrate the seven knightly virtues that make up the uniform code of chivalry:  courage, justice, mercy, generosity, faith, nobility and hope.  

Representative Salazar has represented Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Taos counties since 1973.  Speaker Lujan and Representative Varela have represented Santa Fe County since 1975 and 1987, respectively.