[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 23, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING PETER R. VILLEGAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 1999

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate Peter R. 
Villegas, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Orange 
County for 1998.
  During his presidency, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce accomplished 
many goals. The Chamber increased its membership and corporate 
sponsors, produced many successful events such as the ``Estrella Awards 
and Installation Dinner,'' Job and Career Fair, Business Finance Forum, 
Business Without Borders International Conference, and the Business 
Development Conference.
  Mr. Villegas has also represented the chamber in many official 
capacities. He has met with Vice President Al Gore, officials of the 
Department of State, Members of Congress, State, county, and local 
officials, as well as leaders of enterprise and industry.
  Mr. Villegas has provided leadership locally and nationally, by 
serving on the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute based in 
Washington, DC, as a board member of the University of Southern 
California--M.A.A.A., the corporate advisory board of the Latin 
Business Association, and as a board member for the Puente Learning 
Center. Other memberships include the Challengers Boys and Girls Club, 
board member of the Chicano Federation of San Diego, and committee 
member of the Martin Luther King Legacy Association. He is the 
recipient of the 1997 Minorities in Business Magazines Latin American 
Corporate Prism Award, and the City of Santa Ana Exceptional Volunteer 
Award.
  Mr. Villegas manages regional relationships with key community 
coalitions, including the WaMu Community Council and regional WaMu 
Diversity Advisory Group. He is responsible for managing the Corporate 
Giving Program with a focus on the Community Reinvestment Act qualified 
grants. He also serves as the regional contact for governmental 
officials, provides corporate representation in the regional market, 
and provides leadership in the ethnic market. In addition, Mr. Villegas 
is the regional manager of Washington Mutuals $120 billion commitment 
to the community.
  Colleagues, please join with me today in saluting Peter R. Villegas, 
an individual who has dedicated his knowledge and expertise to the 
betterment of the Hispanic community and business relations on every 
level.

                          ____________________