LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Dr. Robert Ornelas current candidate for California Governor was invited to the inaugural 2013 Latinos de Hoy Awards at the Los Angeles Times Chandler Auditorium to support the annual achievement ceremony spotlighting the diverse and influential Latino luminaries in Los Angeles.

"It was an honor to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with the brightest Latinos in entertainment, fashion, politics, business, sports and art. Those that were recognized have made a huge impact in the community and the Spanish-Language culture. To see Lou Diamond Phillips on the red carpet was such a blessing for me. The day before the awards I spoke to the mechanical engineering students at the East Los Angeles College and the art students at Casa Cultural Saybrook. I told good friend from the East Los Angeles Sheriff's department that I felt like I was Edward James Olmos in the 1988 drama Stand and Deliver that Lou Diamond Phillips was featured in. These leaders have inspired us to give back to the community of Los Angeles. A big thank you to the Latino leaders, Los Angeles Times, LATV, Reyna Trevino and to the Latino de Hoy Awards," stated Dr. Ornelas