[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE CARIBBEAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND 
      INDUSTRY'S 13TH ANNUAL ENTREPRENEURS OF THE YEAR AWARDS GALA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Caribbean American 
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CACCI) and the honorees of the 
13th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala. The special event 
will be held in Brooklyn, New York on April 23rd, 1998. Mr. Roy 
Hastick, Sr., President and CEO of the Caribbean American Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry, Inc.; Mr. John Imperiale, Dinner Chairman; Mr. 
Richard Jackson, Chairman of the Board for the Chamber; and other 
organizers of the event have tirelessly dedicated themselves to 
developing an event that will celebrate the accomplishments of a few 
outstanding entrepreneurs in New York City.
  The CACCI is a statewide, not-for-profit organization incorporated in 
the State of New York in 1985 to promote economic development among 
Caribbean-American/African-American and other minority entrepreneurs. 
During the many years of dedicated service to the business community, 
the Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has aggressively and compassionately 
pursued opportunities to ensure the survival of Caribbean/African 
American and other minority entrepreneurs. The Chamber's contributions 
to the economic development have increased their level of influence in 
today's competitive business climate.
  Over the past several years, the Caribbean American Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry, Inc. has received numerous awards for its strong 
advocacy role. In 1998, the Chamber of Commerce was awarded the 
National, New York State, and New York City Small Business Advocate of 
the Year awards. More recently, the Chamber received the Martin Luther 
King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Ronald H. Brown Business Service 
Award, the U.S. Small Business Administration Award for Distinguished 
Service, and the New York State Federation of Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce ``Chamber of the Year Award.''
  I salute the fifteen honorees who have made significant achievements 
in their respective professions and who deserve recognition for their 
devotion to our Caribbean-American/African American community. The 
individuals that will be honored at the special event include the 
following: Denzel Bacchus, President of Exotic Caribbean Products; 
Clifford P. Charles & Kenneth A. Charles of Charles and Charles 
Certified Public Accountants; Grace Claxton-Johnson, President of 
Johnson Home Care Services, Inc.; Julia Lystra Collis, Owner, President 
and CEO of Aristocrat Manor; Ricot Duputy, President of Radio Solliel 
D'Haiti; Rosner Jean George, President of Irvington Manor Catering 
Hall; Dick Gidron, CEO/Founder of Dick Gidron Ford; Herman Hall, 
Publisher of Everybody's Magazine; Lowell Hawthorne, President of 
Golden Krust Bakeries, Inc.; Daniel Passrello, General Manager of Kings 
Plaza Shopping Mall; Balfour Peart, Manager of Worldwide Sales; Ellis 
Watson, President of ETS Air Shuttle; Zamal Sanker, CEO of Caribbean 
Daylight; and Josephine Infanti, Executive Director of Hunts Point 
Local Development Corporation.
  The honorees of this year's awards dinner represent national and 
international models for the promotion of economic opportunity and 
leadership in the business community. They have displayed a level of 
determination and commitment to economic development that must serve as 
a source of inspiration in other cities. These community leaders 
represent an unwavering commitment to job creation by recognizing the 
positive impact that equal opportunity in employment has on the quality 
of life for many residents of the city and the State of New York. It is 
these unique and special qualities as individuals and business 
professionals that warrant their recognition. I am proud to be involved 
with such an accomplished group of individuals. I am certain that my 
colleagues will join me in honoring these remarkable individuals.
  I commend the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 
Inc. mission to ensure diversity in the American business sector. I 
further commend the Chamber for their impressive showcase of 
professional excellence. Mr. Hastick, Mr. Imperiale, and Mr. Jackson 
have committed their lives to developing closer political and economic 
ties between persons in New York and in other nations. I look forward 
to broadening and deepening my friendship with the Caribbean American 
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. in the years ahead for the 
benefit of the people of Brooklyn and New York.

                          ____________________