[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   HONORING REVEREND JUAN MARTINEZ FOR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE

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                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 12, 1998

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise to pay tribute to the 
Reverend Juan Martinez of New Haven, Connecticut. Reverend Martinez has 
spent 36 years developing and enriching his community, ministering to 
our souls and nourishing our spirits.
  Reverend Martinez arrived in the United States from his native Puerto 
Rico in 1950, and served his country in our military in the Korean War. 
Upon his arrival in New Haven in 1962, he established the Pentecostal 
Church Door of Salvation. Through this church, Reverend Martinez has 
selflessly devoted himself to the Hispanic community and to the entire 
city of New Haven. He is the eldest Hispanic minister pastoring in New 
Haven, and serves as Executive Treasurer for the International Latin 
American Council of Churches. He is the founder of the New Life 
Corporation Housing Development Corporation, and is the co-founder of 
the Associacion Ministerial Evangelica Hispanica de New Haven.
  Reverend Martinez has contributed so much to our New Haven that it is 
difficult to know how to begin to describe his dedication and service. 
He embodies the values of commitment to family and dedication to 
neighbors, and is a role model to us all. He is a powerful voice of 
justice and equality for the Hispanic community, and therefore for our 
city. He has worked with four mayors of New Haven to improve housing 
for the needy. He has organized an annual food drive, and founded a 
community youth and children's program which serves over 120 children, 
nurturing their minds, enriching their spirits, and giving them a safe 
place to play and learn.
  For 36 years, Reverend Martinez has been a force in his community for 
all that is right and good. It is with great pride and honor that I 
join with his family, friends, and community to say thank you and 
congratulations.

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