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Cazares receives LULAC award


League of United Latin American Citizens
Gun safety advocate and president of the Uvalde chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens Javier Cazares, whose daughter Jacklyn died as a result of the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary, accepts the 2023 LULAC National Service Award from LULAC National President Domingo Garcia. LULAC recognized Cazares during the national legislative conference held March 7-10 in Washington, D.C.

Javier Cazares, whose 9-year-old daughter Jacklyn “Jackie” J. Cazares, died as a result of the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary, is a 2023 League of United Latin American Citizens National Service Award honoree.

Cazares is a 1997 graduate of Uvalde High School and military veteran. 

Following the tragedy, he ran as a write-in candidate for Uvalde County Commissioner Precinct 2, with a mission to implement gun legislation reform and proactive training for police officers. 

He is president of the Uvalde LULAC Council.

Two other individuals were also honored with the LULAC National Service Award, including Houston Astros baseball player José Altuve and former Illinois Senator Iris Martinez. Cazares was recognized during the 94th annual LULAC National Legislative Conference and Awards Gala, held March 7-10 in Washington, D.C., where he also participated in a panel discussion.

Cazares participated in a panel called, “The State of Nuestras Familias: Uvalde, How Tragedy Shapes Us, And Where Our Next Generaciones Go From Here.”

Other panel members include Liz Mahar, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Alliances, PhRMA, as moderator; Delma Gorostieta, LULAC Vice President for Young Adults; Winter Snitz-Meza, LULAC National Deputy Director of Policy and Legislation, and Madeleine F. Wallace, CEO, Windrose Vision.

The LULAC national conference highlights critical legislative issues affecting Hispanic Americans and recognizes key leaders who have served the Hispanic community, per its website.

In the aftermath of the Robb school shooting, LULAC raised nearly $500,000 in its national campaign “Pray for Texas,” which provided aid and support to the victims’ families. The funds were distributed equally to families on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Southwest Texas Junior College.

Jacklyn ‘Jackie’ J. Cazares

mfederspill@ulnnow.com, 830-278-3335