Rep. Mike Levin Honors Veteran and Non-Profit Founder as Constituent of the Month
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin announced that Master Sergeant Rudy Moreno, USAF (Ret.), founder of Helping Everyone Reach Opportunity (H.E.R.O) Inc., is the November Constituent of the Month. Every November, we celebrate the bravery of our nation’s veterans, and Rep. Levin is proud to highlight the incredible work Rudy Moreno is doing in our community.
Rudy returned to his hometown of Vista in 2013 after serving for 20 years in the United States Air Force. In 2017, he started his foundation, H.E.R.O. Inc., to instill discipline, encouragement, and accountability in at-risk youth through boxing and fitness. The program offers a safe and positive training environment for people ages 10 to mid-20s who are at risk of joining gangs or doing drugs.
Rudy’s motto, “Learn, Lead, Grow” has had a positive impact on the kids who participate in the program, many of whom plan to keep boxing later in life. He has helped the kids in his program win state championships and national titles, encouraged them to work towards attending a four-year university, and demonstrated how hard work can lead to the achievement of their goals. Moreno hopes to build or find a larger location that can support other sports, like basketball and football, while also offering community services, such as a learning resource center and computer lab.
See below for Rep. Levin’s statement recognizing Master Sergeant Rudy Moreno, USAF (Ret.) in the Congressional Record:
“Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Master Sergeant Rudy Moreno, United States Air Force (Retired) as my November Constituent of the Month. Master Sergeant Moreno is a retired combat engineer who served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and has gone above and beyond to enrich our community.
“After retiring from the Air Force in 2013, Master Sergeant Moreno returned to our community and began working as an Engineering Technician at Camp Pendleton. However, his service to our region does not end there. In 2017, he founded Helping Everyone Reach Opportunity (H.E.R.O) Inc., a non-profit to instill discipline, encouragement, and accountability in at-risk youth through boxing and fitness. The program offers a safe and positive training environment for people ages 10 to mid-20s who are at risk of joining gangs or doing drugs. When the program’s usual training space in Vista was no longer available due to the pandemic, Master Sergeant Moreno decided to create a boxing gym in his backyard so he could continue improving participants’ mental and physical health.
“During Veterans and Military Families Month, I am proud to honor an esteemed veteran like Master Sergeant Moreno, who bravely served our country and continues to contribute to our unique and beautiful district. His expansive military background and passion to improve the lives of others is honorable and it is why I am proud to honor Master Sergeant Rudy Moreno, United States Air Force (Retired) as my November Constituent of the Month.”
Representative Levin’s Constituent of the Month program?recognizes outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and represent the best of our country. Rep. Levin’s October Constituent of the Month was President of the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad Peggy C. Combs, MG, USA (Ret.). Rep. Levin’s September?Constituent of the Month was local literacy program founder Edward Becerra. Rep. Levin’s?August Constituent of the Month was MiraCosta College educator Beatriz Palmer. To nominate a resident of the 49th District to be the Constituent of the Month, fill out this?nomination form.