[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 130 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THREE OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS: BLANQUITA VALENTI, 
                   EDWIN GUTIERREZ, AND ANTHONY VEGA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 1996

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three 
outstanding individuals, Blanquita Valenti, Edwin Gutierrez, and Tony 
Vega who are making a difference in the lives of their fellow community 
members through their work with the Puerto Rican Action Board. A 
celebration dinner will be held for these deserving people on September 
20, 1996 at the Spain Inn in Piscataway, NJ.
  The Puerto Rican Action Board, a nonprofit organization which seeks 
to improve the quality of life of low and moderate income families in 
New Jersey, has benefited from the exceptional efforts of Blanquita 
Valenti. Ms. Valenti has a distinguished record of service as a public 
official and educator. She has a strong educational background 
consisting of a masters degree in Spanish and Latin American 
literature, and certification by the American Translators Association. 
Ms. Valenti is a founding board member of a number of organizations, 
including the Puerto Rican Action Board, ASPIRA, Inc. of New Jersey, 
and the Puerto Rican Congress. She has also served on the city council 
for an 8-year term and as city president for 4 years.
  Edwin Gutierrez, former president and executive director of the 
Puerto Rican Action Board, is a notable community activist. He has 
contributed has expertise to a number of worthwhile projects such as 
the New Brunswick Neighborhood Preservation Program, Community Block 
Grant and Homeowner Affordability Program, Rental Rehabilitation 
Program, and the Buy-it Fix-it Program. Mr. Gutierrez has also 
exhibited a commitment to excellence in education. He established the 
first bilingual-bicultural day care center in New Brunswick, instituted 
an English as second language [ESL] program for adults and initiated a 
bilingual high school equivalency program.
  The Puerto Rican Action Board has received invaluable service from 
its former chairperson, Dr. Anthony Vega. He has had a long and 
distinguished career as a university educator and labor activist. Dr. 
Vega's educational efforts include earning the title of professor 
emeritus in labor studies at the labor education center of Rutgers 
University, establishing scholarship funds for labor studies, and the 
procuring funds to sponsor research programs like the Parent, 
Recruitment, Involvement, Education project [PRIDE], Rutgers' OSHA 
Center, and the Children's Development project. One of Dr. Vega's most 
prized accomplishments was the raising of $1 million for a multifaceted 
educational and manpower development program in 1980.
  It is an honor to be able to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of 
Blanquita Valenti, Edwin Gutierrez, and Anthony Vega. They exemplify 
the enormous positive difference individuals can make in our 
communities. I am certain that my colleagues will rise with me and 
honor these remarkable community leaders.

                          ____________________