[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO REV. AIMEE G. CORTESE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2003

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to Rev. Aimee 
G. Cortese, who will be honored at a gala later this month for her 
exemplary life and service in active ministry around the world. She is 
best known in the South Bronx area, where for 16 years she was 
Associate Minister to her father, Rev. Rafael Garcia, of the Spanish 
Assemblies of God. Rev. Cortese has remained committed to the South 
Bronx community where she was raised, working with her brother, former 
Congressman Bob Garcia. She now serves as Founder and Pastor Emeritus 
of Crossroads Tabernacle, which will be celebrating its anniversary on 
May 29, 2003. She is also a mother of four children, who are all in 
active ministry.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert into the Record the 
biography of Rev. Aimee Garcia Cortese in recognition of her 
leadership, commitment to her community and extraordinary 
contributions, and in wishing her continued success.

       Rev. Aimee G. Cortese is a dynamic, down-to-earth speaker 
     who leaves the listener with the experience that Jesus is a 
     reality. Her life speaks her theology--her foundation is the 
     Bible. Rev. Cortese is both a wife and the mother of 4 
     children, giving her the experience of both home and family. 
     Her preaching and teaching ministry placed her in great 
     demand in churches, women's groups and colleges throughout 
     the nation. Her message is timely, Christ-centered, and with 
     a sensitivity towards human need. She ministers with a burden 
     for souls and a determination to reach, to touch, and to 
     share Jesus with people from all walks of life.
       Rev. Cortese has been engaged in active evangelism both in 
     the United States and throughout the world. Rev. Cortese is 
     best known in the New York City area. For 16 years, she was 
     Associate Minister to her father, Rev. Rafael Garcia of the 
     Spanish Assemblies of God. Rev. Cortese has remained 
     committed to the South Bronx community where she was raised, 
     working with her brother Congressman Robert Garcia, In her 
     own words, street ministry was her specialty and desire, ``I 
     want to be where the people are, that is where Jesus is.''
       Outside the U.S., Rev. Cortese and her husband Joseph Sr. 
     both served with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team in South 
     America. She was a delegate to the First Congress on 
     Evangelism in West Berlin, Germany.
       Rev. Cortese broke ground as the first female Chaplain for 
     the NYS Department of Corrections and ministered in this 
     capacity for ten years. She worked with both male and female 
     inmates at the Ossining Correctional Facility (Sing-Sing) for 
     men, and Bedford Hills for women.
       With ten years of Chaplaincy behind her, she felt qualified 
     to push ahead with a strong preventative work with both young 
     people and adults. She did prison work on a volunteer basis.
       For the past 18 years, Rev. Cortese was Pastor of 
     Crossroads Tabernacle, a thriving work in The Bronx, NY. This 
     church serves as a counseling center to meet the needs of the 
     community, and all who may need help. She now serves as 
     Founder and Pastor Emeritus of Crossroads Tabernacle. Rev. 
     Cortese continues to speak at whatever events she is invited 
     to. Hearing Rev. Aimee G. Cortese is an experience long to be 
     remembered.




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