Over 3,000 people gathered to celebrate Latino excellence in the nation's capital for the 45th Annual Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Gala on Thursday, September 15. 

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Leadership Conference (CHCI) and its Gala gathered in-person for the first time since the pandemic began in late 2019. The event serves as the largest and most prestigious congregation of Hispanic leaders in the nation to celebrate our community's resilience, strength, and heritage. 

The evening celebrated and recognized many of the communities' esteemed leaders, and their contributions that created pathways while breaking barriers, making history, and building a more inclusive America for today and tomorrow's generations.

Among the awardees were:

• Ecuadorian-born American sportscaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers Jaime Harrin - CHCI Chair's Award
• Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra - CHCI American Dream Medallion of Excellence
• Celia Cruz - CHCI American Dream Medallion of Excellence Posthumous Medallion Award 
• Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard - CHCI Legacy Award
• New Jersey Congressman Albio Sires - CHCI Legacy Award

One of the evening's highlights was President Joe Biden, who remarked on his Administration's efforts toward solving issues impacting the Latino community, including climate change, high healthcare costs of diabetes, and the need for humane and safe immigration processes. Biden wants to erase the invisible line that divides our nation. 

"We are not a product of our ethnicity, religion or geography. We are a product of our constitution," said President Biden. He feels America is uniquely organized on the ideas of the Declaration of Independence that all men and women are created equal, but has still come up short. "We've never fully lived up to that, Biden continued, "but we never walked away from it.”

Nonetheless, Biden feels optimistic about the future, and his optimism lies within the strength of the American dream. "We have to remember who we are. We are the United States of America and there's nothing — nothing beyond our capacity if we work together. Let's get it done!" Biden added. 

Among the audience, we spotted Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro; New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta.  We also saw Diana Oo, Head of US Federal Affairs Public Policy/UCAN for Netflix; William Alvarado Rivera, Senior Vice President, Litigation of AARP Foundation and Eric Henry, Director of Government Affairs for Altice.

For more events happening the DMV, the Philadelphia region and the nation, go to www.aldianews.com