[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 145 (Tuesday, November 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PAYING TRIBUTE TO: LATINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to pay 
tribute to an outstanding Colorado organization. The Latino Chamber of 
Commerce, based in Pueblo, Colorado, is an example of the leadership 
and entrepreneurial spirit that are vital to our country. As the 
chamber celebrates its 23rd anniversary, it is my honor to pay tribute 
to this organization of community leaders before this body of Congress 
and this nation.
  The Latino Chamber of Commerce was established in Pueblo in 1979 to 
organize the Hispanic professional community and give it a clear, 
unified voice. Many prominent Latino leaders supported the chamber as 
it grew, doing all they could to promote the organization and its 
goals. As the chamber steadily grew in size and reputation, it began to 
function on its own. By the early 1990's, it hired assistants to help 
manage the increasing administrative load, and soon added a director 
and support staff. Then, in 1995, the chamber moved into its own 
building at 215 South Victorian Street, rightfully taking a place in 
the Historic Union District of Pueblo.
  The Latino Chamber can point to many accomplishments in its 23 years. 
Over 800 individuals, businesses, and corporations are presently 
members of the Latino Chamber. At the recent United States Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce's conference, Pueblo's Latino Chamber was 
acknowledged with the Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award for being the 
best in the region. The award recognized the many contributions the 
chamber has made to the community, as well as the challenges it has 
overcome. With such an outstanding organization, it is no wonder 
several of its members walked away from the conference with individual 
regional awards and are now under consideration for national 
recognition. The owner of Cortez Construction, Carla Barela, earned the 
Hispanic Businesswoman of the Year Award; Patrick Avalos received the 
Government Hispanic Business Advocate of the Year Award for his work on 
the Pueblo City Council; and Priscilla Lucero took home the Corporate 
Hispanic Business Advocate of the Year Award for her leadership at 
Wells Fargo. Leaders like these make the Latino Chamber stand out in 
the Pueblo community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today to honor the Latino 
Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo before this body of Congress and this 
nation. The chamber has shown great dedication to the community it 
serves. I am honored to extend my sincere gratitude to the chamber and 
its members for all they have accomplished, and I wish them all the 
best.

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