[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E388-E389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       IN HONOR OF HERIBERTO CRUZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 1998

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
Puerto Rico's greatest athletes and role models, Heriberto Cruz. Mr. 
Cruz is a shining example of someone who has developed his talents to 
the fullest and has given back to the community tenfold. We can all be 
inspired by his example.
  Mr. Cruz, now living in Brooklyn, New York, was born in Puerto Rico. 
Starting at a young age, he excelled in track and field events and

[[Page E389]]

quickly became a star. As a student at the University of Puerto Rico, 
he was the only athlete in the history of intercollegiate games in 
Puerto Rico to win the Best Athlete award 4 years in a row. Also, while 
at school, he participated and excelled at a number of international 
competitions, such as the Central American Games, the Pan American 
Games, and even the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. Mr. Cruz received 
recognition for his many accomplishments when he was inducted into the 
Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
  Mr. Cruz's success off the track matches his success on the track. 
Since retiring from the sport, Mr. Cruz has become a teacher and a 
marvellous example for the youth of Brooklyn, applying the same lessons 
he learned on the track to everyday life. His example teaches kids 
always to strive, to work hard and play fair to succeed in life.
  I urge my colleagues to recognize Mr. Cruz's excellence both on and 
off the field and join me in paying tribute to this excellent athlete 
and role model.

                          ____________________