(Nov. 17, 2000) The California Chicano News Media Association presented its 2nd Annual Ruben Salazar Awards Friday evening in San Jose, CA to journalists whose work exemplifies journalistic excellence while contributing to a better understanding of Latinos.

Cash awards of $250 each were given out in three journalism categories: Photography, Television and Print. No entries were received this year in the Radio category.

Los Angeles Times photographer Don Bartletti won the Photography Award for his photo series "Latin American Justice: Struggle for Reform."  The judges commented: "Poignant images full of compassion.  His composition shows that he spent some time getting to know the situation of the people he photographed."  This is the second straight year that an L.A. Times photographer captured this award.

The other finalists in this category were Peggy Peattie of the San Diego Union Tribune, and Luis Sinco of the Los Angeles Times.

Reporter Marcy Valenzuela and photographer Damien Espinoza of Sacramento station KOVR won in the Television category for their story "Immigrant College."  The judges commented:  "They made good use of personal anecdotes and live video for a well- rounded piece."

The other finalists in this category were Edgardo Quijano of KDTV in San Francisco, and Verónica Villafañe of KMEX in Los Angeles.

In the Print category, Marcos Breton of the Sacramento Bee won for his story "Between Two Worlds,"  which depicted the struggles many Latino kids go through not quite belonging culturally to either Mexico or the U.S. The judges' comments:  "He countered the stereotype that Latino youths are not interested in college (by showing that) they often have to surmount
huge obstacles."

The other finalists in this category were James Rainey of the L.A. Times and Robert J. Lopez and Richard Connell also of the L.A. Times.

The entries were judged by members of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Network of Hispanic Communicators.

The awards are named after the late Ruben Salazar, who at the time of his death in 1970 was a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and news director of Spanish-language television station KMEX in Los Angeles.