[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO ROSA R. AND CARLOS M. de la CRUZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 1998

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rosa R. and 
Carlos M. de la Cruz, Sr. on receiving the Simon Weisenthal Center 
National Community Service Award. Mr. and Mrs. de la Cruz are being 
honored for their outstanding commitment to the community. Over the 
past several years, they have worked together to improve education and 
social services, promote the arts, help the underprivileged, and foster 
better relations for all people.
  The de la Cruz family defines caring. Born in Havana, Cuba, Carlos 
and Rosa de la Cruz moved to Miami in 1975. Since arriving in South 
Florida, they have been a wonderful example of charitable giving, 
devoting time to education, social services, and the world of art and 
artists. In 1997, they received the coveted Alexis de Tocqueville Award 
for Outstanding Philanthropy from the United Way.
  Carlos de la Cruz's leadership and enduring generosity is a beacon 
for us all. For six years, he chaired the development committee for the 
University of Miami. He also established a Black Educational 
Scholarship Fund at Florida International University and raised 
endowment for a campus for Belen Preparatory School. In 1990, Carlos 
became the first Cuban American to chair the United Way campaign. He 
helped guide the creation of a United Way program called GRASP to help 
Cuban and Haitian refugees get off to a good start in our country. 
Among his accomplishments, Carlos de la Cruz has received the Silver 
Medallion Brotherhood Award from the National Congerence of Christians 
and Jews, the Distinguished Service Award from Florida International 
University, and the Social Responsibility from the Urban League.
  Rosa de la Cruz has shared her talent to the world of art. She serves 
on the Exhibitor Committee of the Museum of Contemporary Art in 
Chicago, the Acquisition Committee of the Miami Art Museum and is 
actively involved with the Museum of Contemporary Art of North Miami. 
She has helped countless contemporary artists express their talents and 
themselves.
  I wish Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz the best on receiving this 
prestigious honor from the Simon Weisenthal Center. Their leadership 
and ability to inspire others is truly admirable and I know that they 
will continue on their benevolent path.

                          ____________________