[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E45-E46]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. ALEJANDRO AQUIRRE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my congratulations to 
Mr. Alejandro Aguirre, deputy editor and publisher of Diario Las 
Americas, on his being named as chairman of the Metro-Dade Cultural 
Affairs Council.

[[Page E46]]

  In this position he will have the opportunity to expand support for 
this entire range of south Florida's cultural life. As in so many 
communities, the council faces the task of providing first rate art and 
entertainment at prices that allow the broadest rage of the community 
to share in the experience.
  In his new role, Mr. Aguirre will have the opportunity to inject into 
the arts community the same energy and enthusiasm he has brought to 
Diarro Las Americas and his other civic involvements. Those other 
involvements range from the Red Cross and Florida International 
University to defense of press freedoms as a leader in the Inter 
American Press Association which represents 1,400 newspapers throughout 
this hemisphere.
  It is difficult to overstate the importance of art and culture to the 
enjoyment of life. As Cuban poet and patriot, Jose Marti, said, 
``beauty is a natural right * * * where it appears, light, strength and 
happiness arise.'' We are all too aware of the problems that mark urban 
life. But one of the joys of an area like south Florida is the broad 
and diverse cultural life that it can support.
  Again, congratulations to Mr. Alejandro Aguirre on his new 
responsibilities and best wishes for a successful and satisfying 
tenure.

                          ____________________