Aug 20, 4:08 PM EDT

Mario Obledo dies in Sacramento at age of 78

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Mario Obledo, president of the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations, has died. He was 78.

Obledo's wife, Keda Alcala-Obledo, says he died Wednesday in Sacramento after suffering a massive heart attack.

During his career, Obledo was known for his support of civil rights and humanitarian causes.

In 1998, President Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award, the nation's highest civilian honor.

While serving as California's secretary of health and welfare from 1975 to 1982, he was credited with encouraging Latinos to enter state government.

Obledo also was co-founder of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, or MALDEF, and the Hispanic National Bar Association. He was national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens in 1983-85.

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