[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 39 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE WINNERS OF THE ELENA MEDEROS AWARD AND THE 
                     OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2001

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge Lilia A. 
Munoz, Claudia L. Moreno, and Julia Valdivia, winners of the Elena 
Mederos Award, and Sandy Acosta, winner of the Outstanding Achievement 
Award. On March 25, 2001, the National Association of Cuban-American 
Women will honor these outstanding women for their great contributions 
to the Hispanic Community.
  Sponsored by the National Association of Cuban-American Women, the 
Elena Mederos Award was instituted in memory of Dr. Elena Mederos 
(1900-81), who is considered the most prominent Cuban woman of the 
Twentieth Century.
  Born in Cuba, Judge Lilia L. Munoz is currently the Chief Municipal 
Court Judge in Union City, New Jersey, and has made history in becoming 
the first Hispanic woman to serve in that capacity. She was also the 
first Hispanic President of the Hudson County Bar Association. Judge 
Munoz served as the municipal prosecutor for the Town of West New York 
from 1997 to 2000, and also served there as the prosecutor for the 
Alcohol Beverage Control Board. She currently serves on the Character 
Committee for the Board of Bar Examiners and as a Trustee for the 
Hudson County Legal Services Corporation.
  Professor Claudia L. Moreno is a resident of Weehawken, New Jersey. 
She is currently an Assistant Professor at Columbia University School 
of Social Work. Professor Moreno serves as a Grant Reviewer for the 
Administration for Children, Youth and Families under the United States 
Department of Health and Human Services, Discretionary Grants Program. 
She is also a consultant with the Parent's Support Group of the New 
Center For Outreach and Services for the Autism Community.
  Born in Cuba, Julia Valdivia earned a Master's Degree in Education 
from the University of La Havana. In 1974, Union City hired Ms. 
Valdivia to perform outreach to the growing Hispanic community. While 
serving the Hispanic community, she focused on immigrants new to Hudson 
County and provided them with essential information regarding housing, 
employment, education, and business opportunities. She has served the 
last four Mayors of Union City, and has become one of the most powerful 
community activists in the city. Ms. Valdivia helped found the Alliance 
Civic Association, which helps Hispanic community leaders attain public 
office. In this past election, she was the only Hispanic in the State 
of New Jersey selected to be a delegate to the Electoral College.
  Ms. Acosta is completing a Master's Degree in International Affairs 
concentrating on International Politics at American University. In 
1998, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from 
Florida International University. She currently serves as the assistant 
to the Executive Director of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights in 
Washington, D.C. Ms. Acosta has served as an intern with Senator Bob 
Graham and at Freedom House and the Center for a Free Cuba.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these four 
outstanding women for their great contributions to the Hispanic 
Community.

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