[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 4 (Friday, January 23, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING CRYSTAL DOMENECH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 23, 2004

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. 
House of Representatives to recognize the achievements of Crystal 
Domenech, who was raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, in my Congressional 
District.
  At 19, Crystal has done what many people only dream to achieve in a 
lifetime. Since the age of 13, she has been an active member of the 
United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset Park (UPROSE)--the oldest 
Puerto Rican community-based organization in Brooklyn.
  Since Sunset Park is a working class, immigrant waterfront 
neighborhood and the site of many industrial uses, UPROSE's mission of 
youth and community empowerment seeks to make Sunset Park a better, 
safer place to live for local residents.
  It is young people like Crystal who are truly changing the direction 
of our communities. She is one of the founding members of UPROSE's 
Environmental Enforcers, a youth group that has taken on many issues 
relating to environmental justice.
  Crystal's list of accomplishments is long. She has worked tirelessly 
with me and other elected officials in educating-the public on the 
unfair siting of power plants and other polluting facilities in low-
income communities. Currently, she is working with UPROSE on its Urban 
Forestry Project and on a community design plan for a public open space 
greenway along the Sunset Park waterfront. She has caught the attention 
of politicians, community leaders and the media alike.
  Given her energy and commitment, it was easy for me to nominate 
Crystal as one of just five New York City students to travel to 
Antarctica for a 14-day expedition with Students on Ice. By embarking 
on this life-altering journey with her peers from countries all over 
the world, Crystal traveled from one end of the earth to the other in 
an effort to gain a new and deeper respect for the environment in which 
we live.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Crystal Domenech, and 
join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize 
her extraordinary work.

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