[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E881]]



   TO HONOR MS. GEMA DUARTE LUNA AS A RECIPIENT OF THE ARIZONA STATE 
               UNIVERSITY YOUNG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2001

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to bring attention 
to the achievements of a great woman who was recently presented with 
the Arizona State University (ASU) Young Alumni Achievement Award. This 
award is bestowed upon an alum who has excelled early in his or her 
profession and has served the community with distinction. She is a 
native Arizonan, devoted wife, loving mother of two, and I am proud to 
know her as my friend. Mr. Speaker, I speak of Ms. Gema Duarte Luna of 
Phoenix, Arizona.
  Raised in the small town of Superior, Arizona, Gema graduated from 
ASU in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was the first in her 
family to receive a college degree. She has had many triumphs in the 
fields of business, management, and local politics including 
appointments to many civic committees, such as the Mayor's Fiscal 
Capacity Committee and the City of Phoenix Transit Tax Citizen's 
Committee, due to her extensive involvement in issues affecting the 
community.
  She also serves as a board member for KAET Channel 8 (a public 
television station), Xicanindio Artes, an organization that provides 
youth programs and promotes Chicano and Native American artists, the 
National Conference for Community and Justice, a diversity program for 
high school students, and serves as a member of the ASU Cesar Chavez 
Institute, a youth leadership program.
  Gema served as chairwoman of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 
and is the current chair of the chamber's annual spring black and white 
ball which is the largest banquet and fund-raising activity of the 
Hispanic business community.
  While working as the Affinity Marketing Manager for Bank of America 
she received the prestigious ``LEND'' award for her commitment to 
improve the efforts that target low and moderate families and 
neighborhoods. Currently, she serves as the market segment manager for 
the Arizona Republic and through her ongoing development and supportive 
measures, she has been instrumental in the funding of the ASU 
foundation, a non-profit organization that acts as the principal agent 
through which gifts are made to benefit the university.
  As my colleagues can see, she is a role model to all Arizonans and 
young Latinas throughout the nation. Her involvement in the community 
is truly an inspiration and a testament to her dedication and 
commitment. Her strong presence and proven leadership skills have 
earned her the respect of her peers and she continues to be a well 
respected voice in the Valley's Hispanic community. Therefore, please 
join me today in honoring my friend, Ms. Gema Duarte Luna.

                          ____________________