[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF CARMEN MALDONADO: WOMAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 1996

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Carmen 
Maldonado, a woman of distinguished character and grace. The Puerto 
Rican Society of Elizabeth, Inc. will honor her with its Woman of the 
Year Award on April 28 in Linden, NJ.
  Mrs. Maldonado arrived in New York from her native Puerto Rico in 
1950. While living in New York, she met and married Sal Maldonado and 
later moved to Elizabeth with their children Edgar, Joseph, Carmen, and 
Edna Isabel. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Maldonado began working with the 
Elizabeth Board of Education. For a quarter of a century, she has 
dedicated herself to improving our educational system. As a liaison 
between the community and the school district, Mrs. Maldonado interacts 
with the students, parents, and teachers to create a better environment 
for our school children.
  Mrs. Maldonado genuinely cares about her community. She dedicates her 
energy to various community services that aid the citizens of 
Elizabeth. For example, Mrs. Maldonado devotes her time to improving 
city services for the elderly as a board member of Community Services 
for Senior Citizens. Her charitable committment to the community does 
not stop there. She is also involved in improving the educational needs 
of the adult community, an active member of P.R.O.C.E.E.D., Inc. and 
president of the local Y.M.C.A. With her busy schedule as a full time 
mother and career woman, Mrs. Maldonado still finds time to help her 
community.
  In addition, Mrs. Maldonado is a member of other organizations, 
including the Puerto Rican Society of Elizabeth, Inc. and Saint 
Patrick's School and Church. Over the course of her distinguished 
career, Mrs. Maldonado has won many awards. She has been honored by the 
Hispanic Association of Saint Patrick's and has received the Elizabeth 
Port Pride Day Good Neighbor Award.
  Mrs. Maldonado's committment to the people of Elizabeth exemplifies 
the true meaning of compassion, dedication, and service. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Carmen Maldonado, an outstanding 
individual.

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