UTEP Professor Delivers Message To President Barack Obama

Of the 1,200 who who received a ticket to attend President Barack Obama’s speech at the Chamizal Memorial, a handful were chosen to speak with the commander in chief one-on-one.

About 15 Borderland residents and leaders got to shake the President’s hand and talk with him for a few seconds. Some even got a couple hugs, including one assistant professor with the University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Health Sciences.

“I walked and shook his hand and then he gave un abrazo — a hug. And what do you tell the president? I was like, ‘President, you made not only my day, you have made my year,'” said Dr. Eva M. Moya.

The UTEP Department of Social Work professor explained it’s an experience she’ll never forget. She’s not sure how she was chosen to meet with the president and was shocked when she got the phone call from the White House.

“We were preparing a salad for a party we were having that evening, and I was chopping tomatoes and I said, ‘Wait a minute, this is not real,'” she said.

Sitting in the second row at the Chamizal Memorial, Moya attentively hung on every word Mr. Obama spoke.

“Everyone recognizes the system is broken. The question is, will we summon the political will to do something about it?” the president asked.

Shortly after the speech, Moya was able to deliver her message to the President. She told him immigration reform should unite people, include opportunities for health care and education, and more support so immigrants can be competitive in the workforce.

“He says, ‘That’s precisely why I’m here. Because I understand what growth means,'” Moya said.

The lesson she said everyone should take home is, “We need to use our voice. Whatever we do, we need to be passionate and committed,” said Moya.

Moya said she was also able to give the president a UTEP pick lapel pin.