Attorney Benny Agosto, Jr., One Of Six Honored By Anti-Defamation League
Anti-Defamation League Awards Benny Agosto, Jr., the ADL Civil Rights Medal
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Houston attorney Benny Agosto, Jr., a partner in the Houston personal injury law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, was honored on November 13, 2014, by the Anti-Defamation League. Mr. Agosto was one of just six Houstonians awarded the ADL Civil Rights Medal for his work in advancing the cause of civil rights. The award ceremony, which was part of the second annual Houston in Concert Against Hate: A Theatre Tribute to American Civil Rights, took place at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
The award ceremony and concert commemorated the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The evening of inspirational theatre honored the progress of American civil rights over the past 50 years. The performance included personal stories of the award recipients interwoven with theatre vignettes performed by nine of Houston’s premier theatre companies. The master of ceremonies for the evening was Emmy and Academy Award Winner Louis Gossett, Jr.
Mr. Agosto was selected as a recipient of the ADL Civil Rights Medal for his role in promoting education in the Hispanic community, fighting bigotry, and encouraging diversity in the legal profession. He supports many local and national groups that support the Hispanic legal community. His is especially involved with organizations that give opportunities to students pursuing law degrees and was president of both the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) and Mexican-American Bar Association of Texas. He founded the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas (MABATx) Foundation, an important source of scholarships for Hispanic law students. He is a co-founder and current president of the HNBA’s Legal Education Fund, another organization dedicated to securing funding for Hispanic law students. Mr. Agosto was named Trailblazer Outside Counsel of the Year by the Texas Minority Counsel in 2014.
Five others received the ADL award on November 13: Allen Becker, chairman of the ACE Theatrical Group; Dr. Edith Irby Jones, pioneering physician; Dr. Renu Khator, University of Houston System chancellor and president; Father T.J. Martinez, founding president of Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School; and Legacy Community Health Services.
Mr. Agosto said, “I am truly honored to receive the ADL Civil Rights Medal Award. I am certainly inspired to do more and work harder to continue to make a difference in our community. Congratulations to all of the honorees.”
Please join the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner in congratulating Benny Agosto, Jr., on receiving this award that recognizes his years of work in the civil rights arena. For more information or to learn more about Benny Agosto, Jr., please email the firm or call (713) 222-7211.