Juan Cortez 1917 - 2000

This award is dedicated in the memory of Juan Cortez.  Mr. Cortez was a vital member of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa African American community.  He was active in the Jane Boyd Community Center, Y's Men's Club, Toastmasters Club, Linn County Civil Service Commission, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission and was a liaison for the Black Committee for Youth with Problems.  He was also on the board of directors for HACAP, Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the local St. Vincent DePual store.

Mr. Cortez was very active in the Boy Scouts of America.  Between 1962 and1972 Juan served in many leadership roles within Troop 22 and the Hawkeye Area Council.  In 1973 he was awarded the Silver Beaver, Scouting's highest honor for an adult volunteer.  The following excerpt was taken from his nomination form, "Juan's role in Scouting as well as in the community is to strengthen the ties between black and white."

The Juan Cortez Heritage Award is a tribute to the efforts of Juan Cortez and seeks to continue his vision of diversity within Scouting.