A UH law professor received the highest honor given to non-Mexican citizens by the Mexican government.

Law Center professor Stephen Zamora was presented the Decoration of the Order of the Aztec Eagle medal by Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez at a ceremony in Mexico City for his continued efforts in the promotion of understanding between the U.S. and Mexico.

"I was very surprised to learn of the award," Zamora said. "I really don’t believe that I deserve such an award, especially after I learned the profiles of others who have won it. Now I feel that I have to do something to earn the award.

"One of the most enjoyable things has been receiving many kind messages of congratulations from friends and former students."

Zamora, lead author of the book Mexican Law, is the founding director of the North American Consortium on Legal Education, which strives to strengthen ties between U.S., Mexican and Canadian law schools.

"I identified a need to publish an English-language treatise that would enlighten foreign lawyers about the workings of the Mexican legal system. Two years ago (my co-authors and I) published (Mexican Law). With the election of a new government and changes that have taken place since 2004, it is now time to begin updating this work," he said.

Zamora also founded a scholarship program that allows a lawyer from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend UH for graduate classes.

"A friend of mine, Dr. Alberto Szekely, was serving as the Legal Adviser to the foreign minister of Mexico," Zamora said. "The Mexican government was being challenged by an increase of lawsuits in the United States against Mexican government agencies, and Alberto Szekely felt that it would be important for the lawyers in the (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to have a greater understanding of U.S. law."

The Order of the Aztec Eagle was created by decree Dec. 29, 1933, as an award to foreigners for service to Mexico.

Previous honorees of the Order of the Aztec Eagle include Ann Richards, Bill and Melinda Gates and Cesar Chavez.