EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Annunciation House brought back its “Voice of the Voiceless” Awards program after a six-year hiatus.

The event was held Saturday, May 23 at St. John Paul II Catholic Church (formerly Santa Lucia) in El Paso’s Lower Valley.

Photos by Edith Montero/KTSM

The awards honored individuals who have demonstrated “exceptional courage, advocacy and commitment to justice in the border region,” a news release said.

This year’s honorees were:

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar — Voice of the Voiceless

Bishop Mark J. Seitz — Teacher of Justice

Cristina Coronado — Witness on the Border

“These individuals have each played a critical role in advocating for human dignity, justice, and the well-being of communities across the border region.,” organizers said.

The return of the Voice of the Voiceless Awards reflects a renewed commitment to uplifting stories of resilience, advocacy, and solidarity in the border region, organizers said.

“I am so privileged to be here with many, many amazing El Pasoans who volunteer their time, give of their love, energy and passion to Annunciation House,” Escobar said.

Escobar said that these are “deeply dark times” for the United States right now.

“America is a country of immigrants, and these are really deeply dark times,” Escobar said. “We are seeing a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment, a lot of bigotry, a lot of racism.

“And while, yes, we are a nation of laws, we should also be a nation of compassion. And Annunciation House reminds us about that compassion and our shared humanity,” Escobar continued.

“And tonight’s event is a celebration of that,” she added. “I am incredibly honored to be recognized tonight.”

Michael Aboud with the El Paso County Republican Party issued the following statement:

“Annunciation House took federal tax dollars and used some of those to move illegal aliens to different parts of the USA without documenting who those people or where they went, arguably illegal activities. Now, they are promoting and probably giving money to one of the least effective members of Congress in the country, all of this during an election cycle.”

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