[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E897-E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO A YOUNG BENEFACTOR AND ROLE MODEL, MR. MICHAEL CARRICARTE, 
                                  JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 1997

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a distinct honor and 
great privilege to pay tribute to one of Miami's young unsung heroes, 
Michael Carricartre, Jr. Thanks to his efforts, on May 15, 1997, the 
students and staff of St. Francis Xavier School, an inner-city 
elementary school located in Miami-Overtown community, will join 
Archbishop John Clemente Favalora and the clergy in blessing and 
opening the doors to new classrooms and playground. Myriads of 
supporters and volunteers will be joining in to celebrate this historic 
occasion in my district.
  This event was made possible by this young entrepreneur whose immense 
love for children is beyond measure. Armed with a vision toward making 
a difference in the Overtown children's future, 27-year-old Michael 
Carricarte, Jr., president of Dade County-based Amedex Insurance Co., 
vowed to provide a better environment for their learning. Reaching out 
to these inner-city children he is indeed making a difference in their 
lives.
  Not oblivious of the drama of poverty, along with the problems of 
growing up, he took up the challenge that the children of St. Francis 
Xavier School will have a place where they can study and learn and 
obtain a God-loving environment. In his role as chairman of the 
school's building fund project, he begun raising money from personal 
friends and corporations, maximizing it with a personal loan he 
obtained from a local bank.
  While there are special cases of individuals who go above and beyond 
the call of duty toward their fellowmen, Michael Carricarte, Jr., 
ensured that his vision is accompanied by his personal touch of concern 
and devotion to

[[Page E898]]

children's learning. His persistent consecration to this agenda is 
personified by his goal that ``* * * a new modern building will be 
constructed with three big classrooms for the teaching of children, 
where they can go to school from kindergarten to the 6th grade * * * so 
that children can stay away from drugs and delinquency--and where they 
can get quality education in hopes of becoming good citizens of the 
future.''
  Ever since he begun this project in 1992, he has been immensely 
gratified in helping these inner-city children. ``They too are entitled 
to a good education, just like the rest of America's children, because 
they truly represent our future,'' he is wont to say.
  Mr. Carricarte has truly become the consummate community activist who 
abides by the dictum that children who have less in life, through no 
fault of their own, should have more from those of us who are more 
fortunate, regardless of race, creed, gender, or political affiliation. 
The collective testimony from parents and community leaders represents 
an unequivocal testimony of the utmost respect he enjoys from our 
community.
  To date his undaunted efforts on behalf of the schoolchildren of St. 
Francis Xavier are succinctly shaping and forming the consolidation of 
efforts on the part of countless supporters and organizations. His word 
is his bond to those who have dealt with him--not only in moments of 
triumphal exuberance in helping our wayward youth turn the corners 
around, but also in his quest to transform this inner-city school into 
a veritable oasis where children's academic achievement and mastery of 
the basic schools are fully assured.
  Michael Carricarte, Jr., truly exemplifies a fresh and unique 
leadership whose courageous vision and utmost caring for less fortunate 
children genuinely appeal to the noblest character of our humanity. I 
truly salute him on behalf of our grateful community.

                          ____________________