Houston, Texas-- Houston City Controller Sylvia R. Garcia was one of the attendees for the "Passing of the Gavel" ceremony at the Houston association of Hispanic Broadcasters event at Nit Noi Restaurant on Thursday, September 14^th. Channel 13 news anchor Minerva Perez formally ended her term as the association's president and presented her successor, Channel 2 anchor Bill Balleza with the symbolic gavel.

As part of the ceremony Controller Garcia presented Ms. Perez with a certificate of appreciation for her outstanding leadership and commitment. "The people in this room serve as roll models for many of our Hispanic youth, The Controller added. "It is important for them to have roll models like Minerva and Bill, to be able to see people who resemble them working on television, serving as a judge or even representing their city as an elected official. Minerva and Bill take this roll seriously and each are outstanding leaders in our community and city."

The Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals works to provide scolarships for students and is in its 14^th year of existence.