Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1966 melon strike, the San Antonio Express-News referenced Ernesto Cortes for helping lay the groundwork for a generation of Mexican-American political activity in Texas:

"Ernesto Cortes, the brilliant moving force behind the Industrial Areas Foundation, launched his community advocacy after putting his academic life on hold to work with the farmworkers."

50 Years Ago, Intrepid Farmworkers Fought for a Better Future, San Antonio Express-News