[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 3 (Friday, January 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO ALEC COURTELIS

                                 ______


                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 5, 1996

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, it is with heavy heart that I rise to 
mark the passing of a truly honorable American, Alec P. Courtelis, a 
dear friend who recently lost his battle with cancer after a brave 2 
year struggle. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this 
difficult time.
  The productive life of Alec Courtelis is the personification of the 
American dream. Alec was born in Egypt, and realizing that educational 
opportunities in his native land were limited, he came to the United 
States as a foreign student to attend the University of Miami in Coral 
Gables, FL. War in the Middle East broke out soon after Alec's arrival 
in the United States, preventing his father from being able to fully 
support Alec's higher education. Rather than return to Egypt, after 
getting approval from the immigration authorities, Alec held several 
jobs to pay for his education, including construction worker, parking 
lot attendant, testing laboratory inspector, dishwasher, and short 
order cook.
  While at the University of Miami, Alec met his wife, Louise 
Hufstader. After earning a degree in civil engineering, Alec joined 
Juriet & Associates, Inc., a soils engineering and community 
development consulting firm, gaining valuable experience. Six years 
later, Alec formed his own real estate development company, the 
Courtelis Co.
  Alec followed the Courtelis philosophy ``. . . to dedicate yourself 
to the principles of creativity, hard work, persistence and honesty . . 
. success will surely follow,'' and his company has grown to become a 
leader in major real estate developments over the past 30 years.
  To show his appreciation to the country that had given him so much, 
Alec became a civic leader, dedicating his time and resources to the 
field of education, serving on the Board of Regents for Florida's State 
university system, the Armand Hammer United World College of the 
America West and the International Board of the United World Colleges.
  Alec was a recipient of both the Horatio Alger Award and the Ellis 
Island Medal of Honor, and was cochairman of We Will Rebuild, a 
prominent civic organization which assisted in the rebuilding effort in 
Dade County after the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew.
  In addition to his many accomplishments, Alec Courtelis will perhaps 
be best remembered for his valiant fight against pancreatic cancer, 
which he refused to let weaken his will. Instead of the 3 months which 
doctors had diagnosed that he had to live, Alec combined chemotherapy 
with mind over matter to fight the disease for 2 full years, inspiring 
other cancer patients in the process. Alec will be greatly missed, but 
never forgotten.

                          ____________________