David Diaz, a long-time friend and supporter, will receive special recognition at the 31st National Conference of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), which will be held February 14-17, 2013, in Chicago.  He will receive the William C. "Willie" Velasquez Volunteer of the Year Award.

In making the announcement Dr. Juan Andrade, USHLI President, said "We welcome the opportunity to recognize David Diaz for his years of service to USHLI.  Without dedicated volunteers like David, USHLI would not be what it is today.  He has been a very loyal and dependable volunteer for 13 years, and we are very grateful for his service."  The award will be presented at 7:30pm on Friday, February 15, during the Corporate and Community Leadership Awards Dinner.    

David Diaz is currently an Assistant Area Director for Orion's Mind, a national educational solutions provider that provides free tutoring for low-income students in math and reading.  It has served thousands of students in grades K-8 in the Chicago area. Orion's Mind delivers interactive, small-group instruction that is based on the theories of multiple Intelligences and differentiated instruction.  

The Volunteer of the Year award is presented in memory of the late Willie Velasquez, a co-founder of the USHLI and a trailblazer who charted the course of modern Latino politics.  A respected leader and community organizer, Willie mobilized thousands of volunteers throughout the Southwest to help him register hundreds of thousands of new voters, file successful redistricting lawsuits, and transform the political landscape by electing more Latinos to public office than at any other time in history.