The Republican National Committee honored State Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, Monday as part of its Hispanic History Month celebration.

Linares, 26, is serving his second term as a state senator for the 33rd district towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the history and culture of Americans of Hispanic descent,"  said Chairman Reince Priebus in a statement. "We are a stronger, more diverse, more vibrant country thanks to the influence and hard work of Hispanic Americans over generations—whether in the arts and sciences, business, government, education or the military...."

“Throughout this month, the RNC will shine a spotlight on how Hispanic Americans have influenced our party,"  added Priebus. "Our theme for this year is ‘Honoring our Latino Leaders,’ and we will highlight exemplary Hispanic Republican elected officials, from the U.S. Congress to governors’ mansions to state houses. In addition, as part of our ongoing, year-round commitment to engage with Hispanic voters, we will participate in community events across the country. As always, it’s an opportunity for new voters to hear from us and more importantly, for Republicans to listen to the concerns of Latino voters.”

The RNC featured a post on Linares on its website.

Last week, the Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission named Linares as the "Latino Citizen of the Year." The commission is a nonpartisan policy agency within the legislative branch of government that consists of 21 appointed community leaders who advise the General Assembly and the Governor on policies which foster progress in the state's Latino communities.

Linares is also the co-founder of Middletown-based Greenskies and a graduate of Westbrook public schools and the Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa in Florida.