[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E464-E465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  HONORING ROSA AND CARLOS DE LA CRUZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 1998

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Cuban patriot Jose Marti said: 
``Talent is a gift that brings with it an obligation to serve the 
world,

[[Page E465]]

and not ourselves, for it is not of our making.'' I would like to 
recognize Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz for giving of themselves to the 
betterment of the community and utilizing their talents to help those 
in our community who have been less fortunate. I am pleased to 
congratulate the de la Cruz' for having recently been honored with the 
Simon Wiesenthal Award for Community Service.
  The Simon Wiesenthal Center recognizes South Florida residents who 
have exhibited a spirit of true commitment and leadership in their 
community. After having been forced to flee communist aggression in 
Cuba in 1960, the de la Cruz' moved around the country, finally 
settling in Miami in 1975. Since then they have dedicated their efforts 
to improving the accessibility and quality of educational and social 
services available to our South Florida youth, as well as bringing 
awareness and appreciation for the arts.
  While dedicating tremendous time and effort to our community's youth, 
they are also successful business owners. As board members for various 
foundations, they have also contributed to furthering the work of such 
wonderful institutions as the Dade Community Foundation, the Performing 
Arts Foundation of Greater Miami, and the United Way where they were 
honored with the 1997 Alexis de Tocqueville Award for community 
service. They have been an inspiring force in improving the quality of 
life for many South Florida residents.

                          ____________________