[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF RICARDO MONTERO DUQUE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2001

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major Ricardo 
Montero Duque for his efforts to fight the communist threat, and later 
communist dictatorship, in Cuba, and his commitment to Cuban immigrants 
throughout America.
  Ricardo Montero Duque was born in Matanzas, Cuba on July 4, 1925. In 
1950, he graduated from the Military Academy of the Cuban Army with the 
rank of Second Lieutenant. As a result of his hard work and dedication, 
he quickly climbed through the ranks of the military hierarchy, 
eventually assuming the rank of Major.
  Major Duque's extensive military career can be traced to battles 
against the guerrilla forces of Fidel Castro. In 1956, Major Duque was 
instrumental in leading the Cuban Army against Fidel Castro and his 
rebel forces in the province of Oriente. During the Bay of Pigs 
invasion in 1961, he commanded the No. 5 Infantry Battalion of the 2506 
Brigade, was captured by Castro's forces, and later imprisoned for 25 
years. On June 8, 1986, Major Duque was released from prison in Cuba 
and reunited with his family in Union City, New Jersey.
  Over the past two decades, Major Duque has remained actively involved 
in the Cuban American community. Former New Jersey Governor Christie 
Todd Whitman appointed Major Duque to serve as a member of the ``Cuban 
Task Force'' of New Jersey. He has served as Director and Editor of the 
newspapers ``El Cuba Libre'' and ``La Semana.'' In addition, he has 
twice been elected to serve as President of the Union of Former Cuban 
Political Prisoners.
  Beyond his services to the community, Major Duque has been a real 
estate agent since 1987. He is happily married to Esther, his wife of 
fifty years.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ricardo Montero 
Duque for his unfaltering commitment to fighting the terror and 
repression of communism in Cuba, and for his outstanding contributions 
to the Cuban American community.

                          ____________________