[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       TRIBUTE TO NORTHWEST INDIANA HISPANIC COORDINATING COUNCIL

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 1994

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of 
the Northwest Indiana Hispanic Coordinating Council for their numerous 
contributions to Northwest Indiana. The Hispanic Coordinating Council 
celebrated their sixth annual recognition banquet, which was held on 
April 9, 1994.
  Founded on November 15, 1988, the Hispanic Coordinating Council is 
composed of leaders from over 40 different Hispanic organizations. 
These individuals have committed themselves to improving the quality of 
life for the Hispanic residents of Northwest Indiana. Council president 
and cofounder, Benjamin T. Luna, has been instrumental in providing the 
Hispanic community with motivation and opportunities for excellence.
  On behalf of 40 Hispanic agencies, organizations, and businesses, the 
Coordinating Council presented honors to 48 top Hispanic athletes and 
scholars, representing 25 high schools throughout Northwest Indiana. 
The Council also presented their annual recognition awards to the 
deserving organizations and individuals.
  Those students who received awards for outstanding athletic 
achievement include: Jason Allande, Crown Point High School; Osbardo 
Franco, Morton Sr. High School; Jesse Rodriguez, Edison High School 
Lake Station; Raymond Lucero, Merrillville High School; Linda Montalvo, 
Highland High School; Gerard Rodriguez, Bishop Noll; Dana Navarro, 
Griffith High School; Cesar Flores, Whiting High School; Elizabeth 
Piunti, River Forest High School; Chris Hernandez, Lake Central High 
School; David Maldonado, East Chicago Central High School; Oteniel 
Cruz, Hammond High School; Raul Martinez, Andrean High School; Rolando 
Soto, Portage High School; and Arturo Corral, Wirt High School.
  Students who received honors for outstanding academic achievement 
include; Gina Covarrubias, Griffith High School; Marcella Romero, Clark 
High School; Jovette Barrera, Whiting High School; Sudryana Lopez, 
River Forest High School; Anne Vela, Lake Central High School; Meguel 
Paz, Esperanza Soto, East Chicago Central High School; Eric Osborne, 
Hammond High School; Joel Rivas, Andrean High School; Claudia 
Gutierrez, Raquel Avila, Lew Wallace High School; Pedro Claudio, 
Portage High School; Lauren Torres, Thornton Fractional South High 
School; Adriana Aleman, Morton Sr. High School; Susana Cuevas, Aisha 
Ceballos, Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts; Matthew 
Saltanovitz, Munster High School; Monica Silvas, Gavit High School; 
Ramon Marquez, Edwin Ramirez, Horace Mann High School; Monica Moss, 
Edison High School Lake Station; Wanda Olvera, Merrillville High 
School; David Flores, Michael Rivera, Highland High School; Amanda 
Rodriguez, Jason Torres, and Mario Gonzalez, Chesterton High School.
  Alex Amezcua from Clark High School, Ramsey Ragaldo from Calumet High 
School, Linda Ehrlich from Wheeler High School, and Matt Perez from 
Gavit High School received honors for outstanding athletic and academic 
achievement. Maria Connie Rodriguez received honors for outstanding 
achievement.
  The coordinating Council also presented the Outstanding Family Award 
to Evencio and Oliva Cruz of East Chicago. The outstanding Hispanic 
family was carefully selected from among many qualified families on the 
basis of their unity and their dedication to one another's successes. 
The Reverend Father Thomas W. Florek, S.J., of the Hispanic Catholic 
Center, received the Community Service Award. Victoria Candelaria, 
president of East Chicago Local 511, American Federation of Teachers, 
received the Labor Award. The President's Award went to the Sociedad 
Mutualista Mexico. The Corporate Community Service Award was presented 
to NIPSCO Industries, while the Puerto Rican Parade Committee received 
the Organizational Community Service Award. Roberto Vasquez has the 
distinction of receiving the first annual Cesar Chavez Award, in honor 
of the late charismatic president and founder of the United 
Farmworkers.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in applauding all 
of the award recipients chosen by the Hispanic Coordinating Council. I 
feel that all of the participants in the sixth annual recognition 
banquet were most deserving of the honors bestowed upon them, and it is 
my privilege to commend all of them on their achievements.

                          ____________________