Hispanic Heritage Hall Of Fame
2026 HONOREES
Miguel Aleman
Miguel (Mike) Aleman, born in Odem and raised in Galveston, Texas, is a devoted husband to Rachel Clarke Aleman, father of three—Gail (Donald), Joseph (Taylor), and Christopher (Lucy)—and proud grandfather of five: Jocelyn Borsellino, Brody, Dax, Ryder, and Lucy Aleman. A Ball High School graduate who attended Galveston College, Mike honorably served in the U.S. Air Force before retiring from Amoco BP, where he also represented residents on the company’s Community Advisory Panel. A dedicated civic leader, he served as LULAC President from 2003 to 2011 and continued supporting the organization while advocating for civil rights, including representing LULAC at Houston protests and writing as a community columnist. Mike actively supported service initiatives, organizing care packages for deployed troops, assisting local fundraisers, helping lead Cinco de Mayo en la Plaza in 2005, and speaking at schools about cultural history. His service earned honors including the 2003 Citizen Activist Award, the Henry B. González Latino Leadership Award, and LULAC Man of the Year in 2005.
Ziola Contreras
This award honors Zoila, a woman whose life reflects lifelong service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to her community. Known for her humility and generosity, she has given countless hours supporting others, never seeking recognition but consistently earning the respect and gratitude of those she serves. Zoila served four consecutive terms as President of VFW Auxiliary Post 880, leading recruitment efforts and organizing fundraisers that benefited veterans, families, and local causes. A founding member of LULAC Council 639, later reorganized as Council 151, she also sponsored LULAC Youth Council 12, encouraging young people to embrace service and leadership. Through her influence, three generations of her family have become active in LULAC, creating a lasting legacy of community involvement. Beyond formal roles, Zoila is known as someone who always shows up—whether guiding young girls as a Brownie Scout leader or supporting neighbors and friends. Warm, hardworking, and compassionate, she balances service with joy in everyday life, leaving a lasting impact on all who know her.
Carlos Garza
Carlos Garza is an attorney with nearly five decades of legal experience serving individuals, businesses, and families across Galveston County. A graduate of Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, he has been licensed to practice since 1977 and is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. His practice includes personal injury, commercial litigation, family law, criminal defense, and probate matters at both trial and appellate levels. Garza has also played a significant role in public service, serving as City Commissioner, City Attorney, and Mayor of Texas City. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he remains active in professional and community organizations, including leadership roles with the State Bar, local bar associations, and numerous civic and charitable boards. His career reflects a longstanding commitment to justice, community leadership, and public service in the Gulf Coast region.
Carlos y Rosaura Gonzalez
Carlos Bangs y Alejandra Rosaura Martinez Gonzalez—affectionately known as Carlos y Chagua Gonzalez—left a lasting cultural legacy in Galveston County and Houston beginning in the late 1950s. Known for filling dance floors wherever they performed, the musical couple brought joy to countless community gatherings while raising seven children and helping strengthen Hispanic cultural life in the region. Carlos worked as a shipbuilder, welder, and contractor while also becoming a beloved entertainer and promoter, hosting shows at Galveston’s Rey Theatre and performing on Houston television. Chagua devoted herself to family and community, opening her home to others, supporting cultural events, and sewing vibrant costumes for performers and Mardi Gras celebrations. Together, they championed faith, music, and cultural pride, promoting traditions such as celebrations honoring La Virgen de Guadalupe while welcoming families and traveling performers into their home. Through music, faith, and service, Carlos y Chagua inspired generations, leaving a legacy of family unity, cultural pride, and community service that continues to guide their children and grandchildren today.
Julie Molis
Julie Molis was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, where family, faith, and service shaped her life from an early age. Raised among eleven siblings, she learned the values of hard work, compassion, and respect that continue to guide her today. Julie built her career in the hospitality industry, spending more than two decades in hotel and restaurant management before becoming an entrepreneur. In the early 1990s, she helped launch a towing company and became one of Galveston’s first female tow operators, later opening her own towing and recovery business in 2000, which she still operates today. She has been a member of Galveston Elks Lodge #126 for 18 years, serving in numerous officer roles and making history as the Lodge’s first Hispanic President. A proud mother of four and grandmother of thirteen, Julie remains deeply committed to community service through leadership roles in local civic and charitable organizations, supporting scholarships, veterans, seniors, and individuals with special needs. Her life reflects resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Galveston community.
Mary Moreno
Maria De Los Angeles Moreno, a lifelong Galveston resident and Ball High School Class of 1972 graduate, is the proud mother of her daughter, Melissa, and has devoted her life to serving her community. She began her career with the Galveston Independent School District, where she worked for more than three decades supporting students and families. Generations of parents and former students still remember her kindness, patience, and willingness to help, reflecting the lasting impact she made in local schools. Maria later continued her public service with Galveston County, working in Social Services from 2007 to 2013 and with Adult Probation until her retirement in 2025. Guided by faith and compassion, she joined LULAC in 2015 and has served on its Executive Board, including roles as Chaplain and Sergeant-at-Arms. She also volunteers with Fire Base Ministries, supporting outreach efforts for individuals experiencing homelessness. Maria’s lifelong commitment to service and community continues to inspire those whose lives she has touched.
Carlos Pena
Carlos Peña is proud of the life his wife, their children and their spouses, and four grandchildren have built together. He is proud of the business he helped build in Galveston, Kleen Supply Company, since 1971. He is most thankful and grateful to have been called by God to serve the church and the worldwide organization as the Vice President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the boards of the World Council of Churches, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and Luther Seminary. This calling became transformational not only to himself, but his family as well.
Lucy Ramirez
Lucy lived life with joy and energy, known across Galveston Island for her warm smile and signature hats that reflected her vibrant personality. A true people person, she built a successful career in sales, first helping generations of island families find the perfect fit at The Fair Department Store shoe department. She later worked for Southern Union Gas Company, where she sold appliances and grills and eventually retired after 30 years of dedicated service. In 1969, she was proudly honored as Galveston County’s Mother of the Year. Lucy was deeply involved in community life, serving with organizations including the Catholic Daughters of America at Holy Family Parish, the West End Lioness Club, Quota International, and the Galveston Island A&M Mother’s Club, among many others. She also volunteered with UTMB and Shriners Burns Hospital, always ready to help those in need. Above all, Lucy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a cherished friend whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives.
Ismael Robles
With the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts across the world Galveston’s Ismael Robles, Jr. is a celebrated pioneer of this great sport. Beginning with karate tournaments he won the U.S. Black Belt lightweight titles in 1978 and 1980 and was the number one rated fighter by the World Journal of Martial Arts. From karate tournaments he stepped into the professional Kick-Boxing ring and won the 1981 WKA U.S. title, the 1982 PKA U.S. title and the 1983 KICK world title and awarded the belt by the great Chuck Norris. He retired in 1985 with a record of 27 wins, 3 losses and 19 wins by knockout. He founded Martial Arts America in Galveston now celebrating 50 years. For 5 years he served the citizens of Galveston as the director of Parks and Recreation. He was awarded the Man of the Year by the Galveston Chamber of Commerce in 1982 and 1992.
Theresa Romero
Theresa Romero, born in Bryan, Texas, was raised in Galveston and Texas City; worked at UTMB from 1972 until approximately 2002. She was known for her steadfast dedication to family, community, and her willingness to assist others whether it was helping a friend with errands or offering support to a family member. She was an active and committed member of LULAC Council 4433. She was always eager to volunteer her time and talents. She assisted with organizing council events, participated in community outreach efforts, and was known for preparing homemade dishes for council fundraisers. Her dedication and willingness to help made her an invaluable member, admired by everyone for her commitment to service. She consistently supported her grandchildren who were members of LULAC Youth Council 12 in their activities and helped organize event booths. She also assisted her granddaughters with queen contest fundraising efforts. They could always count on NaNa to help with their fundraising activities. Theresa Romero left a lasting impact on everyone she met.
Johnny Sanchez
Johnny Sanchez lives in Galveston, Texas. He is married to Nancy Sanchez, and they have three sons, John, Jr., David, Al, and one daughter, Sandy. They have 8 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Growing up in Austin he was surrounded by music. His uncles and cousins, Ruben and Alfonso Ramos, played music with their bands. At the time, he hadn't yet realized the influence that music had on him. After graduating from high school, he started playing the saxophone with different bands. Later he formed a 10-piece orchestra called Johnny Sanchez y Los Chicanos. His orchestra played at many events in Galveston, Brazoria, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties. In 2002, the group began performing at Nash's Bait Camp on East Beach in Galveston every Sunday afternoon. In 1983 he started an Oldtimers Fastpitch team. Every Memorial Day weekend the team hosted an Oldtimers Tournament, where many teams from throughout the state participated.
Danny Sendejas, Jr.
Danny Sendejas Jr. of Galveston, Texas, is widely respected for a life dedicated to service, leadership, and helping others. The son of Margarita Sendejas and the late Danny Sendejas Sr., he carries forward his father’s strong sense of community and commitment to public service. A devoted husband to Tessa, Danny is also a proud father to Krystn Sendejas-Birks and grandfather to Knox and Kane Birks, with family always serving as his foundation. Danny began serving the community early through youth coaching and civic organizations before joining the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office in 1984. Known for mentoring inmates and guiding many toward better paths, he was promoted to Sergeant at age 25. His career includes participation in the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery efforts, founding the Mounted Patrol unit, and contributing to major criminal investigations and child protection efforts. A multiple-time Deputy of the Year honoree, Danny retired in 2025 and now serves as Chief of Police for Bayou Vista, continuing his lifelong commitment to community safety and service.
Rudy Sendejas
Rudy Sendejas is a proud BOI (Born on the Island) native and has actively served the Galveston community in various affairs and affiliations. He is a longtime LULAC #151 member and a past president. Under his presidency, the council was named 2001 LULAC National Council of the Year. He was immediate past chairman of the Williams Borden Neighborhood Association. He held membership in the Galveston Hotel Lodging Association, Galveston Island CTA (Certified Tourism Ambassador), Leadership Galveston Alumni and the Rotary International/Galveston Chamber of Commerce. He currently volunteers with the Moody Methodist Meals on Wheels Program and the Galveston Island Humane Society. He is semi-retired and is the owner/operator of Agape Services Inc, a family-owned business. The business was also inducted into the LULAC #151 Hall of Fame.
Pedro Villarreal
Pedro G. Villarreal proudly traces his roots to Galveston’s Magnolia Homes, where he was raised by his mother, Rosaura Villarreal, and grandmother, Velia Rodriguez, alongside his four brothers in a close-knit community he still considers family. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, serving as a Boy Scout and Safety Patrol member, later joining the Sheriff’s Explorer Post and Youth Jr. LULAC, developing an early commitment to service and leadership. A Ball High School graduate in 1968, Pedro attended Galveston College before being drafted during the Vietnam War era, serving in Europe at a Nike Hercules missile site guarding borders near Germany and Poland. He later returned home, working with UTMB Police and the Galveston County Sheriff’s Department before beginning a 36-year career with Amoco Security. During his tenure, he served as union president and helped many Hispanic residents secure employment opportunities at the refinery and with contractors, continuing his lifelong commitment to supporting his community.
