[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LATE ALEC COURTELIS

                                 ______


                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 20, 1996

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable 
Floridian, Alec Courtelis, who died last month at the age of 68. Alec's 
life defined the American success story. He came to America as a 20-
year-old Greek immigrant and persevered to achieve great success as a 
Florida developer, breeder of Arabian racehorses, chairman of the board 
of regents, and as a major player in the national political arena.
  As a teenager growing up in Alexandria, Egypt, Alec watched John 
Wayne movies and dreamed of one day moving to America. At 20, he was 
accepted to the University of Miami and traveled 7,000 miles across the 
Mediterranean and Atlantic to begin life in a country that would not 
inhibit his hopes and aspirations.
  Upon graduation from the University of Miami, Alec worked as a 
engineer for 5 years before launching a thriving career in real estate 
development and construction. Under Alec's direction, Florida swamps 
and sand pits were converted into lavish housing developments and 
upscale shopping malls. Included in Alec's projects were the Falls in 
South Dade, Skylake in Northeast Dade, Town Park Estates in the Coral 
Park area, and University Lakes in Miami.
  Alec strongly embraced this country and the belief that each person 
can make a difference. He became well entrenched in the political 
arena, not only locally, but on a national scale. Alec's 
accomplishments were not limited to real estate and politics; he was 
also a major player in the Arabian racehorse business. The Courtelis' 
owned a 320-acre farm near Gainesville that provided both a home for 
their champion stallions and a place for the family to spend time 
together.
  Perhaps the triumph for which Alec will be best remembered was his 
battle with cancer. When Alec was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic 
cancer in 1993, he told doctors that he could not accept their 
prognosis; he still had too much to do. Although Alec was told to get 
his estate in order as he had only a few months left, he beat the odds 
for 2 incredible years and attributed his success to psychotherapy and 
a positive mental attitude. He devoted himself to legitimizing 
alternative treatments and to sharing his amazing experience with 
others. The University of Miami's new Courtelis Center for Research and 
Treatment in Psychosocial Oncology furthers Alec's devotion to lending 
validity to alternative treatments and provides new hope for its 
patients.
  A sign at Alec's farm read, ``It's performance that counts.'' This is 
a motto that Alec abided by throughout his life. Mr. Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Alec Courtelis.