Luis Gómez is the first recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award

Lorain: Following the tragic death of Roberto Clemente in December of 1972, an award is being named in Northeast Ohio to honor him, the man whose spirit and goodwill always will be remembered. This award recognizes those individuals who truly understand the value of helping others.

Clemente was a great baseball/béisbol player, but we remember him today as a quiet man that loved helping other people, who continually gave back to the community, whether in Pittsburgh, Nicaragua, Latin America, or his native Puerto Rico. He knew and understood how important it was to give back to those in need.

In his final years, his motto was that if you have a chance to help others and fail to do so, you are wasting your time on earth. What we need in this world are more people like Roberto Clemente. So let’s give a special congratulation to Luis Gómez for being the first Roberto Clemente award recipient of the Northeast Roberto Clemente Award 2012.

Luis served and provided leadership as the Regional Director for the office Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Department of Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration Office in Cleveland Ohio; he has been actively involved and committed to the entire Northeast Ohio Hispanic community since his arrival to Cleveland.  He is currently the board president of the Hispanic UMADAOP (Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program) and a member of the Spanish-Language Advisory Board for the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Luis Gómez 

Roberto Clemente

He is also a member of the Hispanic Alliance and advisory board member for the Greater Cleveland Drug Court.  He served on the board or advisory committees of the following organizations: Catholic Charities Corporation, Puerto Rican Parade Festival and Spanish American Committee. Luis has received many awards for his community involvement due to his dedication, integrity, and credibility.  

As the Latino liaison for the Congressional Staff of Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Luis’ main responsibility is to plan and manage all liaison activities and tasks for programs in the area of: Hispanic Affairs, Multicultural Affairs, Substance Abuse, NASA, Small Business, Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs.  Luis has provided outstanding constituency service for U.S. Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich Office and the Hispanic community in Northeast Ohio for the last 14 years.

Come join us Friday, July 6, 2012 at the Pipe Yard Baseball Stadium, 2840 Meister Road, Lorain, as we celebrate and honor Roberto Clemente and Luis Gómez. This event will start at 5:00 p.m. with Latino music, food and lots of Roberto Clemente Displays.

Copyright © 1989 to 2012 by [LaPrensa Publications Inc.]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 06/19/12 20:46:46 -0700.