[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMENDING THE NATIONAL ETHNIC COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS AND 
              RECOGNIZING THE ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2002

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
work accomplished by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations 
(NECO), recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and commend its 
founder and chairman William Denis Fugazy.
  NECO's mission is to preserve ethnic diversity, promote equality and 
tolerance, combat injustice, and bring about harmony and unity among 
all people. Since its founding in 1984, the multi-ethnic coalition has 
sponsored programs, activities, and education initiatives designed to 
break through the walls of ethnic misunderstanding and ignorance. NECO 
is the largest organization of its kind in the United States consisting 
of more than five million family members. It serves as an umbrella 
group for over 250 organizations that span the spectrum of ethnic 
heritage, culture, and religion.
  In the past, NECO has raised more than $1 million during the 
refurbishing of Ellis Island for its Immigrant Wall of Honor, where the 
landmark names of 200,000 immigrants to the U.S. are inscribed. They 
also contribute resources to the Forum's Children Foundation, a sister 
humanitarian organization, whose mission is to bring children requiring 
life-saving and life-enhancing surgery from disadvantaged countries to 
the United States.
  NECO also is involved with immigration/racial issues and community 
relations. They have worked with the New York City Mayor's Office, the 
New York State Governor's office and the New York City Metropolitan 
Transit Authority (MTA) on developing strategies to eliminate anti-
immigrant feelings, promote ethnic tolerance and understanding, and 
prevent hate crimes. They have worked to enhance the quality of living 
among all Americans by collaborating with community groups in the 
coordination of programs such as the Family Exchange Peace Program that 
bring thousands of school children and their families together to raise 
awareness of the City's diverse racial and ethnic heritage and the 
James Byrd Jr. scholarship that provides tuition support for students 
graduating from high school.
  In 1986, NECO established the Ellis Island Medals of Honor Award that 
pays tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America's unique 
cultural mosaic. Over 17,000 individuals are nominated each year. To 
date, approximately 1,400 American citizens have received the award. 
These individuals are remarkable Americans who exemplify outstanding 
qualities in both their personal and professional lives while 
continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage. Past 
Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients have included several U.S. 
Presidents, entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, 
and business executives, such as William Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy 
Carter, Gerald Ford, George Bush, Richard Nixon, Mario Cuomo, George 
Pataki, Bob Hope, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, Barbara 
Walters, and Attorney General Janet Reno.
  Finally, the success of NECO can be attributed to its Founder and 
Chairman of the Board, William Denis Fugazy. The energy that Mr. Fugazy 
brings to his philanthropic work is evident in the numerous accolades 
bestowed upon the NECO. His passion for honoring ethnic Americans, who 
through their achievements and contributions, have enriched this 
country and have become role models for future generations, is truly a 
blessing.

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