The Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA) recognized State Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) today with the “Legislator Advocate” award during the 2010 statewide Legislative Visit Day.
“I am honored to receive the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs ‘Legislator Advocate’ award,” said Senator Fedor. “I will continue to promote public policy that positively affects the Latino Community.”
OCHLA said of Senator Fedor, “As a State Senator, Teresa Fedor has expended a tremendous amount of time, energy and effort into improving the lives of Latino Ohioans. Her work in the area of education, human trafficking, and advocating against local immigration measures has been sincerely appreciated by the Latino community all across Ohio.”
Senator Fedor spent 16 years working in inner-city Toledo Public schools before coming to the legislature. She has a long standing interest in promoting academic attainment for all children and protecting our most vulnerable young Ohioans. Accordingly, she sponsored “Día de Los Niños”, a bill promoting literacy and education of children on April 30th every year.
Senator Fedor is a champion on the issue of Human Trafficking, a problem that greatly affects vulnerable citizens, especially Latinos. As Vice-Chair of the Trafficking in Persons Study Commission, she ensured the Latino community had a voice and a seat on the Commission. Her bill, Substitute Senate Bill 235, will create a stand-alone felony for trafficking in persons and is currently being considered by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
OCHLA is an organization that advises state government on issues affecting Hispanic Ohioans, connects the diverse Latino communities across the state, and builds the capacity of community organizations so they may better serve the fast growing Latino population of Ohio.