[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 12, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1758-E1759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO HISPANIC HERTIAGE MONTH

                                 ______


                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 1995
  Mr. LAZIO of New York. Mr. Speaker, today marks the commencement of 
Hispanic Heritage Month.
  From as early as the 1400's, people of Hispanic descent have 
contributed to the benefit of our national mosaic. In 1492 Spain was 
the only country that would support a visionary Genoese explorer's 
quest in finding a sea route to India. As a result of Queen Isabella's 
courageous backing of Christopher Columbus, America was discovered.
  Since then, the Hispanic-American community has infused a rich 
cultural, ethical, and intellectual flavor into our melting pot. Men 
like Everette Alvarez who, as a brave young Navy pilot, became the 
first American prisoner of the Vietnam war. For 8 long years he 
painstakingly endured all of the mental and physical anguish that the 
North Vietnamese could inflict, and survived as a hero.
  Women like Jovita Mireles Gonzales, an historian and folklorist who 
was one of the first people write in English about the Mexican-American 
culture. As a folklorist, she became the first Mexican-American 
president of the Texas Folklore Society.
  And men like Dr. Luiz Alvarez, a physicist who developed a radar beam 
that could guide an airplane to landing under impossible visual 
circumstances. This innovation gave the United States of America a 
great advantage during World War II. As a pioneer in the world of high-
energy physics, Dr. Alvarez achieved the highest goal in his field in 
1968 by becoming the sole recipient of the Nobel Prize.

[[Page E 1759]]

  Today, Hispanics continue to contribute to the fabric of our 
community. On Long Island, I would like to acknowledge four residents 
of my constituency who are truly leaders among the Hispanic community 
and have flourished in their fields: Mr. Angel M. Rivera for his 
excellence in youth services; Miss Alexandra Feliciano for her 
outstanding academic leadership; Mr. Hector D. LaSalle for his 
contributions to the legal profession; and Dr. Dennis Da Silva for his 
dedicated activities in the medical field and community.
  The list of achievements is endless. For that reason it is of utmost 
importance to honor the rich contributions of Hispanic-Americans in our 
society. I proudly applaud their efforts. Mr. Speaker, it is with great 
pleasure that I commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month.


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