[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 25, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S2861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   LATIN AMERICANS FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC., ANNUAL 
                          RECOGNITION LUNCHEON

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Latin-
Americans for Social and Economic Development, Inc., a nonprofit, 
community based organization which has served Southwest Detroit area 
individuals and businesses with a variety of social and self-help 
services for the past thirty-one years. On May 2, 2000, LA SED will 
hold its annual Recognition Luncheon, an event which provides the 
organization the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of outstanding 
Hispanic citizens of the Detroit community.
  It is appropriate that the theme of this year's luncheon is, ``21st 
Century: Hispanics Count in Detroit's Future.'' Since its founding in 
1969, LA SED has been instrumental in ensuring that Hispanic citizens 
play a large role in the Detroit community. And now, Mr. President, 
there is finally an excitement about the future of the city of Detroit 
that has not been evident for quite some time. There is a real feeling 
that the city's future is going to look brighter than the past. And 
groups like LA SED, who outwardly display their own optimism for the 
future of Detroit, and for the integral role that Hispanics can play, 
and have played, in this picture of success, are a large reason for the 
excitement.
  Mr. President, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration, it has 
been my pleasure to hold hearings on the positive contributions 
immigrants make to this country in areas such as science, the arts, and 
the armed forces. It was my pleasure to sponsor legislation awarding 
the Congressional Medal of Honor to Alfred Rascon, a Mexican immigrant 
who heroically saved the lives of men in his platoon during the Vietnam 
War. And though I have my critics, their unfounded attacks will have no 
impact on my defense of America's tradition as a nation of immigrants. 
Organizations like LA SED illustrate to me everyday that in this 
regard, I am doing the right thing.
  Mr. President, I extend my warmest regards and appreciation to Jane 
Garcia, chairperson of the luncheon, and also a wonderful friend whom I 
have had the pleasure of working with over the years. I would also like 
to acknowledge Mr. Anthony F. Early, President and C.E.O. of Detroit 
Edison, who will be the keynote speaker of the Recognition Luncheon. 
Finally, I thank everyone who is involved in making LA SED such a 
tremendous and effective organization. On behalf of the entire United 
States Senate, I wish LA SED continued success in the future.

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