[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH SEPTEMBER 15-OCTOBER 15, 1994

                                 ______


                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to 
recognize a very important occasion, the commemoration of the Hispanic 
Heritage Month. Hispanic Americans came to American for the same 
reasons that my parents did--to seek opportunity, freedom, security and 
the chance to better their lives for themselves and for their families.
  It is with great pleasure and pride that I share with you the names 
of just a few of the many Hispanic Americans in my district who have 
not only achieved their goals but continue to reach out and lend their 
experience, time and knowledge to others within the great State of 
Connecticut.
  Mr. Manuel Diaz, Jr. is a University of Connecticut graduate; Member 
of the Windham Board of Education and Supervisor of the Laboratory at 
Windham Hospital.
  Mr. Carlos Flores is an accountant and member, Board of Finance in 
Windham, CT.
  Mr. William Garcia is Executive Director, Centro De La Comunidad in 
New London, an educational and social service organization for 
Hispanics which just celebrated its 25th anniversary. In 1969, Bill was 
a founding member of this organization as well as the previous 
president of the United Way, New London Pequot Foundation and New 
London Rotary Club.
  Ms. Grissel Benitez-Hodge, formerly a member of the New London Board 
of Education, is Dean of upper class students at Wesleyan University 
and the current President of the Board of Directors of Centro De La 
Comunidad in New London, CT.
  Ms. Yolanda Negron is the first Puerto Rican elected to the Board of 
Selectmen, 1992, Windham, CT. Prominent Puerto Rican political 
organizer for statewide and local political campaigns.
  Ms. Josie Zemko is head of the language department at New London 
High, volunteers at Centro De La Comunidad to help recent Hispanic 
immigrants, as well as assists new Spanish speaking students at the 
high school.
  Ms. Rose Mary Fuentes Loffredo is a respected member of the business 
community operating her own catering service, Siesta Catering. As a 
singer in a South American band, Rose Mary entertains and educates 
children in the public school systems about South American and Mexican 
music culture.
  Ms. Leila Gonzalez Sullivan is President of the Middlesex Community 
Technical College. A leader and longtime proponent of bilingual 
education, she is well respected by her colleagues in the higher 
education community.
  Mr. Speaker, while there are many more names to be recognized, I 
would like to thank all the leaders of the Hispanic community in my 
district for their untiring efforts and acts of selflessness as they 
aspire to the Hispanic tradition of achievement.

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