[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 11 (Wednesday, February 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF MR. GUILLERMO DESCALZI FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 
 JOURNALISM AND FOR BEING HONORED BY THE COLEGIO DE PERIODISTAS DE CUBA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2000

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Guillermo 
Descalzi for his vast achievements in journalism and to congratulate 
him on being honored by the Colegio de Periodistas de Cuba.
  Born in Lima, Peru, Mr. Descalzi came to the United States at the age 
of nineteen to attend Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Mr. 
Descalzi received his Bachelors of Science degree from Canisius College 
in 1968 and went on to earn a Masters in Arts from the State University 
of New York at Buffalo. After completing his education, Mr. Descalzi 
returned to his native Peru to teach at the University of San Marcos.
  Mr. Descalzi's impressive career in television journalism began when 
he returned to the United States and joined the Spanish International 
Network (SIN), now known as Univision. Knowing the growing demand for 
news and programming from within the Hispanic community, Mr. Descalzi 
spearheaded the network's first-ever national newscast in Spanish to be 
televised in the United States. Because of his vision and commitment to 
address the needs and concerns of Hispanics, Mr. Descalzi soon became 
one of Univision's national correspondents.
  Continuing his goal of providing news coverage to the often 
marginalized Hispanic community, Mr. Descalzi was the first continental 
correspondent to link the Americas via the television airwaves. By 
airing footage and covering stories affecting Latin America, Mr. 
Descalzi's efforts provided a connection for Hispanic Americans to 
their heritage and culture.
  Currently, Mr. Descalzi is the host of the award-winning 
investigative newsmagazine, ``Ocurrio Asi.'' Featuring a broad range of 
topics, ``Ocurrio Asi'' goes behind the scenes and the headlines to 
tell the untold story and extract the truth. Mr. Descalzi's unyielding 
efforts have helped the show win more than 40 Emmy Awards from the 
Academy of Television, Arts, and Sciences, attracting presidents, 
celebrities, sports heroes, and activists to appear on this show.
  For his unmatched journalistic achievements and integrity, and his 
work on behalf of the Latino community, I ask my colleagues to join me 
in congratulating Mr. Descalzi. His dedication and hard work have truly 
earned him this recognition.

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