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Henry Bonilla Honored with 2024 COE Lifetime TRIO Achievement Award 

September 11, 2024 — by Terrance L. Hamm

U.S. House Representative Henry Bonilla’s (R-TX) journey from a housing project in South San Antonio to the halls of Congress is a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of the TRIO Talent Search program.

At the Educational Opportunity Dinner on September 10, 2024, in New York City, former U.S. House Representative Henry Bonilla (R-TX) was honored with the 2024 COE Lifetime TRIO Achievement Award. Bonilla’s journey from a housing project in San Antonio to the halls of Congress was made possible through the TRIO Talent Search program sponsored by Project Stay, also in San Antonio. He gave a heartfelt acceptance speech reflecting on his experiences. 

He began by expressing gratitude for TRIO, which helped him envision a future beyond poverty: “Not bad for a Mexican boy who came from that background. And it happened because TRIO works.” Bonilla, the first in his family to attend college, went on to earn a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, which launched his successful career in television broadcasting before he was elected to Congress. 

Bonilla recalled the emotional moment walking past  his old television station in New York the evening before receiving this award: “I was walking on the Upper West Side, where my home used to be, and then where the TV station continues to exist. It was very emotional…thinking that this Mexican boy from a poor neighborhood in South San Antonio was once in charge of that 11 o’clock newscast, the highest-rated local newscast in America.” 

Elected as the first Hispanic Republican from Texas to serve in Congress, Bonilla became a strong advocate for TRIO programs. Reflecting on his early days in Washington, he shared how TRIO’s mission shaped his legislative career: “[COE Founding President] Arnold Mitchem approached me and said, ‘Henry, do you realize how incredible it is as a freshman to be on the Appropriations Committee? No freshman had been put on it in 25 years.’ Mitch helped guide me to ensure I focused on TRIO because of my background.” 

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During his tenure, Bonilla’s work with colleagues across the aisle, including the late Representative Lou Stokes (D-OH), was instrumental in increasing TRIO funding by over 125%. His bipartisan approach was a cornerstone of his efforts: “Every year it was bipartisan…and that is a culture that remains strong in D.C. for the benefit of TRIO. Both parties still strongly support TRIO, and we will do everything we can to ensure that continues.” 

He ended his remarks with a reflection on his journey from poverty as a young child to flying on Air Force One: “From living in that trailer in grandma’s backyard to winding up on Air Force One—I’ve done it my entire life, and I promise you that I will always continue to carry the torch…to help TRIO create more opportunities for young people in every corner of the country.” 

Bonilla’s speech underscored TRIO’s life-changing impact and his unwavering commitment to ensuring future generations have access to similar opportunities. 

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