[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 64 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E834-E835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE PUERTO RICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTH FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2002

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Puerto 
Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida, which celebrates its 10th 
Anniversary on June 8, 2002 with a salute to Federal Service Employees 
of Puerto Rican heritage at a Gala Dinner Dance in Miami, Florida.
  The keynote speaker for the event is highly decorated naval aviator, 
Vice-Admiral Diego E. Hernandez, (Retired) U. S. Navy.
  An Honor Roll listing will recognize the highest-ranking Puerto 
Ricans in each of the Federal agencies in South Florida, and 
additionally will pay tribute to the four Puerto Rican Medal of Honor 
recipients.
  Three valuable and distinguished South Florida U.S. Government 
officials, Gilbert Colon, Deputy Director, SBA, Federico Costales, 
District Director, Florida, EEOC and Hector M. Pesquera, Special Agent 
in Charge, FBI, will serve as Honorary Co-chairs of the event.
  Event Sponsor Vista Magazine and other corporations sponsor this 
Celebration, including: American Airlines and Unibank among others, the 
net proceeds of the event will benefit the Raul Julia Scholarship Fund 
for exemplary Puerto Rican Youth in need of financial assistance to 
realize their dreams of a college education.
  The Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida has been an 
important factor in the development of Puerto Rican entrepreneurs in 
South Florida as well as a catalyst for increased trade between Florida 
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  The Chamber has a partnership agreement with the U.S. Small Business 
Administration (SBA) for the dissemination of valuable business 
information to new and existing businesses, including education on how 
to access capital markets for small business loans guaranteed by the 
SBA programs.
  Concurrently, the Chamber has achieved working relations with the 
Miami-Dade County departments of Procurement, Economic and Business 
Development, and is a promoter of Mayor Alex Pinelas's ``Business 
Express Action Team.'' By their deeds, the Puerto Rican Chamber of 
South Florida has demonstrated their commitment to deliver outstanding 
services in developing minority businesses in cooperation with 
corporate America and the units of government dedicated to improving 
and facilitating business prosperity.
  The Founding Board of Directors under the leadership and vision of 
Melvin ``Skip'' Chaves, the First Chairman, and all subsequent Board 
members, along with their first and current President Luis De Rosa, are 
to be commended for their dedication to make this

[[Page E835]]

Chamber responsive to the needs of their members and community.
  I urge all our colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Puerto 
Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida and its leadership.

                          ____________________