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-Editorial
The director of Binational Affairs of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (SEI), David Pérez Tejada Padilla, received on Monday, May 1, at the Capitol in Sacramento, California, the recognition granted by the Latino Legislative Commission of the California Congress to outstanding Latinos, in the public service category, reported the head of the agency, Kurt Honold Morales.
The secretary explained that each year the Commission presents the “Latino Spirit Award” to outstanding people in fields such as technology, journalism and media, literature, health sciences, law, business education, human rights, letters, public service, and entertainment, among others.
Honold Morales said that the state Administration has a strong binational component since the Governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda recognizes the great opportunities that exist in collaboration to take advantage of the strengths of the mega-region and to address shared problems in issues of environmental care, border crossings, mobility and energy transition.
Present at the emblematic award ceremony were the president of the California Congress, Anthony Rendón; California State Senator Lena A. González, vice chair of the Latino Commission; the president of the Latino Commission, assembly member Sabrina Cervantes; the former mayor of Coachella and currently a member of the assembly, Eduardo García; as well as the Ambassador of Mexico in the United States, Esteban Moctezuma Barragán.
According to the organizing committee, the Latino Spirit Awards have been held every year since 2002 at the State Capitol in Sacramento to coincide with the state celebration of Cinco de Mayo. In the selection, the contributions in their respective fields are considered, becoming role models and community leaders. Additionally, the awards serve as a reminder of the talent within the diverse Latino community and are a source of inspiration for Californians.
In the case of the nomination of director Pérez Tejada Padilla, it was made by California State Senator Steve Padilla, who represents Imperial and San Diego Counties, considering that the Baja California Government official has contributed in a special way to cross-border cooperation in the Cali Baja mega-region. Senator Padilla is Chairman of the California Congressional Mexico-California Select Committee.
David Pérez Tejada Padilla has more than 15 years of public service in various positions at the municipal, state, and federal levels. As part of the State Congress, he has received on issues of development, climate change, and housing. In 2016, he received the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for strengthening bilateral relations and cultural ties with Mexico.
In the private sector, the official has held leadership positions in business organizations on both sides of the border, including the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, which awarded the distinction of “Bridge Builder” in 2022 for its dedication to promoting binational relations. In 2013 he promoted the twinning between Mexicali and Sacramento; currently in the Ministry of Economy, he has collaborated in the relaunch of the Commission of the Californias and in activities for the bilateral attention of crossing infrastructure, mitigation of climate change.
The ceremony was held within the framework of “Mexico Advocacy Day” organized by the Consulate General of Mexico, as a day to promote our country in the California State Congress with the participation of experts from public, private, and civil society from both Mexico and the United States.