Former Congressman Esteban Torres to be awarded UCLA Medal

Civic Engagement

Esteban Torres, labor organizer and a lawmaker who was among the first Latino congressmen from California in the 20th century, will receive the UCLA Medal, the campus’ highest honor, in a virtual ceremony Wednesday, July 22.

Torres served eight terms in the House of Representatives giving voice to the largely Latino population in California’s 34th district, which includes parts of downtown, Boyle Heights and East L.A. His early activism centered on his role in the United Auto Workers union. Torres also served as an ambassador to UNESCO and later as special adviser to President Jimmy Carter.

“At UCLA, we teach our students to care deeply and work hard, to seek common ground and prize the public good, to build bridges and create pathways for those who come behind,” said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block. “Esteban Torres has done all of that and more.”

Read more on UCLA Newsroom.
Read Chancellor Block’s speech.