The McAllen Heritage Center Board of Directors is hosting a reception on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in honor of Texas Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-20, celebrating a historical photo of himself and the late Cesar Chavez the senator gifted the museum. The wine and cheese reception, to be held at the heritage center, located at 301 S. Main St., will continue the celebration of an exhibit hosted by the museum about Chavez and his work as a farmworker advocate. “Exploring Our History” featured photos about the life and times of Chavez, in partnership with Humanities Texas. The Hinojosa gift will now become part of the museum’s permanent collection.
The McAllen Heritage Center is the only museum dedicated to the preservation of McAllen history. There is no admission fee, and it is open Wednesday through Friday, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is free parking directly behind the museum building for visitors. For more information about MHC, please visit their website at www.mcallenheritagecenter.com; follow the museum on its social media pages on Facebook or Instagram; or call the museum at (956) 681-2860.
About Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa
A McAllen native, Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa is an attorney and State Senator representing Senate District 20, which includes Brooks, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, and Nueces Counties. Senator Hinojosa, a proud U.S. Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas-Pan American and his law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He began his legal career at the Legal Aid Society of Nueces County and the Office of the Attorney General before establishing his private practice in McAllen. Senator Hinojosa served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1981 to 1990 and again from 1997 to 2002 before being elected to the Texas Senate.
During the farmworker era, as a member of the Texas House, Senator Hinojosa worked alongside leaders of the farmworker movement to fight for social justice, improve working conditions, and enhance quality of life for farmworkers and their families. He passed legislation prohibiting the use of the short-handle hoe, providing compensation benefits for injured workers, stopping the spraying of chemicals while workers were in the fields, requiring the availability of drinking water, and having portable toilets for both men and women. As a member of the Texas Senate, Senator Hinojosa has passed legislation creating a streetlight program for colonias, secured funding to enhance drainage and water infrastructure for South Texas, and billions of dollars for transportation infrastructure. He has also been a dedicated and tireless leader in advocating for more funding and support for students and teachers, increasing access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, and providing job training for residents in our communities.
Senator Hinojosa has been named a "Top Ten Best Legislators" by Texas Monthly magazine three times, and “Top Ten Legislator” by Capitol Inside three times as well.
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