[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1045-E1046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    MARGARET MONTERO-LEADERSHIP IN THE PORTUGUESE-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

                                 ______


                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 16, 1995
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Margaret 
Montero, the supreme president of the Associacao Protectora Uniao 
Madeirence do Estado da California [APUMEC] a fraternal organization in 
California's 13th Congressional District. On June 20, 1995, she will 
finish her term in office.
  The APUMEC is a fraternal benefit society which was started in 
Oakland, CA, in 1913, by several men from the island of Madeira, 
Portugal. The purpose of the society is to assist any member who might 
be ill or in need. If a member passes away, the society provides 
assistance to the member's family. Since 1913, the society has grown in 
membership to [[Page E1046]] nearly 2,000 members in several States. 
The APUMEC continues to provide these services and has expanded to 
provide others, such as the scholarship program which awards 
scholarships each year to qualified students.
  Margaret Montero is currently the 70th supreme president of the 
APUMEC. She joined APUMEC Council No. 4 ``Progresso'' on February 4, 
1967, and has served as an officer since 1970. She is the third member 
of her family to hold the office of supreme president. Margaret's late 
brother-in-law, Jose (Joe) J. Montero was supreme president from 1930 
to 1932. Her daughter, Jackie Montero Flynn, served as supreme 
president from 1973 to 1974. She and her daughter are the first mother 
and daughter supreme presidents of the APUMEC.
  Ms. Montero was born on May 28, 1915, in Honolulu, HA. She has been a 
resident of the bay area for over 60 years. She owned a business with 
her now deceased husband, Mr. Joaquim (Harry) Montero, to whom she was 
married for 45 years, and she still resides in the city of San Leandro, 
CA. She has one daughter, Jackie Montero Flynn, one stepson, John Lewis 
Montero; three grandson; and two great grandchildren.
  Ms. Montero has also served as a member of many other community 
organizations, including the IDES, ISMM, SES, SPRSI, UPPEC, UPEC, the 
Brotherhood of St. Anthony, the Cabrillo Civic Clubs of California, and 
the ICDES. She is also a representative to the Portuguese Fraternal 
Benefit Societies of California.
  Ms. Montero will finish her term on June 20, 1995. During her tenure 
as supreme president, she brought in a total of $575,000 in policies 
and over 85 new members to the society. This is a significant 
contribution to the organization. But perhaps even more significant is 
the tireless dedication she has brought to the APUMEC for the 28 years 
that she has participated in the organization.
  Today, I want to congratulate Margaret Montero on her successful term 
as supreme president and recognize her for her commitment to the APUMEC 
and to the entire Portuguese community, I wish her much happiness in 
the years to come.


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