[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E97]]
WESTBURY LANGUAGE CENTER: SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2004

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to name Westbury 
Language Center in Westbury, New York, as February Small Business of 
the Month in the Fourth Congressional District of New York.
  Many in our community know that small businesses are the backbone of 
Long Island's economic well-being. As the national economy continues to 
struggle, the energy, flexibility and innovation of our local small 
businesses have become essential. It is time to spotlight some of these 
businesses extraordinary achievements and contributions.
  Westbury Language Center is a successful small business and an 
exceptional jewel to the Latino community in Long Island. Described as 
a cultural center for the community to study and appreciate the Spanish 
language, the Westbury Language Center has a reputation for providing 
all kinds of services related to the Spanish language and the Latino 
culture for children and adults. Latinos are the largest minority group 
in the United States and I am excited to celebrate and embrace the 
contributions that they have brought to our community and Long Island.
  Maria Isabel Martinez, founder of Westbury Language Center, sold her 
home and used her retirement funds to realize her dreams of 
constructing a business that would serve the public and its needs. 
Three years later, Westbury Language Center not only offers courses in 
English as a Second Language (ESL) and teaches the Latino culture, 
including folkloric dances to children and adults, but it also provides 
instructional computer classes to Latino workers that are interested in 
learning a science that will ensure them a better job and a better 
quality of life.
  Furthermore, pleasing the demands of the community, Maria plans to 
hold the Westbury Language Center's first workshop, ``Now to Start, 
Develop and Administer Your Own Business'' sometime this year.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Maria Isabel Martinez and everyone at the 
Westbury Language Center for their hard work at providing our Latino 
community with services detrimental to their success and for allowing 
our community as a whole, to learn and appreciate the Spanish language 
and the Latino culture.

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