[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 146 (Friday, October 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2070-E2071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MR. DIMAS MONTALVO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to laud the accomplishments of 
Dr. Dimas Montalvo, a longtime community activist. Mr. Montalvo is the 
founder of the Latino American Committee and a tremendous supporter of 
various Latino-related programs. Friends and neighbors refer to him as 
a hometown hero for his many accomplishments and his longstanding 
service to the Latino community.
  In search of a better future, Mr. Montalvo left Puerto Rico for New 
Jersey in 1957. He settled in Long Branch in 1959 where he began 
working at the Fort Monmouth Army Base barbershop before opening his 
own shop in 1965. Following the opening of his business, Mr. Montalvo 
started attending classes in the hopes of earning his GED and improving 
his English skills.
  In 1969 Mr. Montalvo's barbershop was relocated and another business, 
Montalvo's Rooming House, was established in conjunction with the shop. 
Currently, he is still running both businesses from the same location, 
which has become a site for community outreach. It is there that Mr. 
Montalvo counsels people from all walks of life with various questions, 
concerns and problems. Over the years, Mr. Montalvo has become very 
active in numerous community organizations, including the Monmouth 
Community Action Program and the Spanish Fraternity of Monmouth County.

[[Page E2071]]

  In 1992 Mr. Montalvo was appointed Commissioner of the City of Long 
Branch Housing Authority, while also serving as a member of the Long 
Branch Health Advisory Board. Later he founded the Latino American 
Committee, on which he served as President for many years. The LAC is 
responsible for many great things, such as collecting funds to be used 
in scholarships for Latino students and organizing the Latino Chamber 
of Commerce of Monmouth County, which exclusively serves the needs of 
Latino merchants and professionals.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Montalvo on 
his hard work and dedication to the Latino community. I would like to 
thank him for all that he has done and all those that he has helped 
through the years. I ask my colleagues to rise with me in honoring the 
distinguished Mr. Dimas Montalvo.

                          ____________________