[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF RAYMOND FIGUEROA

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                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. 
House of Representatives to recognize the achievements of Raymond 
Figueroa, an inspiration, and the executive director of Turning Point/
Discipleship Outreach Ministries located in Brooklyn, New York.
  Raymond has been instrumental in the success of this organization, 
which provides housing, educational opportunity, substance abuse 
treatment and AIDS programs to some of Brooklyn's most underprivileged 
neighborhoods. The program reaches over 2,000 residents a year and 
reaches 20,000 more through outreach initiatives.
  I am pleased to announce that Mr. Figueroa's dedication and work has 
been recognized by the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership 
program, as they have chosen him as one of their 10 annual recipients. 
Raymond has overcome many challenges to get where he is today--he was 
born into poverty, and grew up with a troubled childhood. Yet, his 
commitment to bettering our community is unwavering, and although he 
did not graduate from high school or receive a formal education, Mr. 
Figueroa is living proof that one can rise above the circumstances to 
achieve their goals.
  Over the course of his life, Raymond has lost friends and family to 
violence, addiction, and AIDS. He watched his sister as she endured the 
stigma of living with AIDS and was victimized by a hospital staff that 
refused to touch her, despite her absence of tuberculosis or skin 
abrasions. The reality of his sister's dehumanization strengthened his 
drive to work in social justice.
  Starting as a volunteer at the Turning Point/Discipleship Outreach 
Ministries in 1990, Raymond moved to a leadership position 12 years 
later as the only second executive director. He is truly an inspiration 
to his community, and reminds us that we can overcome barriers.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Raymond Figueroa, and 
join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize 
his extraordinary work in the Brooklyn community.

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