[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1210-E1211] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2004 ELLIS ISLAND MEDALS OF HONOR RECIPIENTS ______ HON. DAN BURTON of indiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 22, 2004 Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2004 Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor commemorates and recognizes Americans of different ethnic backgrounds who have made a significant contribution to our society. These medals have been aptly named for Ellis Island, an endearing symbol of the immigrant roots and diversity that characterizes our great Nation. When the immigrant station at Ellis Island, New York, opened on January 1, 1892, it admitted 700 immigrants into the United States in just its first day of operation. By the time the center closed in 1954, 17 Million immigrants had passed through its doors. The Ellis Island administration and staff, on average, processed up to 5,000 people per day. Many of these newcomers had little to no knowledge of English, hardly any money, and many arrived with only the clothes on their backs. They arrived risking their lives in exchange for freedom and a better way of life. America has always been a haven for immigrants from all over the world who have come to our shores with a common desire to forge a new life in a land of opportunity, liberty, and freedom--freedom from religious, economic, political or ethnic persecution. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was created in 1986 to honor those individuals who through their own perseverance, sacrifice and success, helped build our great Country. By honoring these outstanding individuals, we honor all who share their origins and we acknowledge the contributions they and other groups have made to America. Six American Presidents, several Senators, Congressmen, Nobel Prize winners, distinguished athletes, artists, clergy, military leaders, and others from all walks of life have been past recipients of this distinguished award. Presented annually by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO), an umbrella group of more than 250 organizations that spans the spectrum of ethnic heritages, cultures and religions, the 2004 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients are once again a remarkable collection of individuals who have distinguished themselves as outstanding human beings and citizens of the United States. I once again commend NECO and its Chairman of the Board, my good friend William Denis Fugazy, for honoring these outstanding individuals, and for their tireless efforts to foster dialogue and build bridges between different ethnic groups, as well as promote unity and a sense of common purpose in our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in recognizing the good works of NECO, and congratulate all of the 2004 Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients. I would like to have the text of NECO's press release on the May 15th award ceremony, and the names of this year's recipients, placed into the Congressional Record following my statement. Ellis Island Medals of Honor Awards Ceremony ELLIS ISLAND MEDALS OF HONOR AWARDS CEREMONY--NECO CHAIRMAN WILLIAM DENIS FUGAZY LEADS DRAMATIC CEREMONY Ellis Island, NY, May 15--Standing on the hallowed grounds of Ellis Island--the portal through which 17 million immigrants entered the United States--a cast of ethnic Americans who have made significant contributions to the life of this nation were presented with the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor at an emotionally uplifting Ceremony. This year's event, whose date coincided with Armed Forces Day, was dedicated to the men and women of our armed forces. We would like to pay special tribute to the individuals serving in the U.S. armed forces both here and abroad. Several of the Medalists also serve in the armed forces; many more are honored veterans. NECO's annual medal ceremony and reception on Ellis Island in New York Harbor is the Nation's largest celebration of ethnic pride. Representing a rainbow of ethnic origins, the recipients received their awards in the shadow of the historic Great Hall, where the first footsteps towards a new life were taken by the millions of immigrants who entered the U.S. in the latter part of the nineteenth century. ``Today we honor great Americans who, through their achievements and contributions, and in the spirit of their ethnic origins, have enriched this country and have become role models for future generations,'' said NECO Chairman William Denis Fugazy. ``In addition, we honor the immigrant experience--those who passed through this Great Hall decades ago, and the new immigrants who arrive on American soil seeking opportunity.'' Established in 1986 by NECO, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America's unique cultural mosaic. To date, approximately 2000 American citizens have received medals. NECO is the largest organization of its kind in the U.S., serving an umbrella group of over 250 ethnic organizations. Its mandate is to preserve ethnic diversity; promote ethnic and religious equality, tolerance and harmony; and to combat injustice, hatred and bigotry. NECO has an additional humanitarian mission: saving the lives of children with life- threatening medical conditions. NECO has founded The Forum's Children Foundation, which brings children in need of life- saving surgery from developing nations to the United States for treatment. Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients are selected each year through a national nomination process. Screening committees from NECO's member organizations select the final nominees, who are then considered by the Board of Directors. Past Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients include six presidents, entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, members of the clergy, business executives, Nobel Prize winners and military leaders. Muhammed Ali, Frank Sinatra, Coretta Scott King, Generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, Dr. Michael DeBakey, Bob Hope and Elie Wiesel are some of the distinguished citizens who have received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. congratulations to the 2004 ellis island medals of honor recipients. Naji N.Abumrad, M.D. FACS., Chairman--Dept. of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Lebanese; Reem Acra, Fashion Designer, Lebanese; Arthur C. Anton, Chairman, Anton's Cleaners, Inc., Hellenic; Hon. Armand Arabian, Attorney, Arms Providers, Inc., Armenian; Lee Archer, Lt. Col. (Ret), Tuskegee Airmen/ WWII, African; Garo H. Armen, Ph.D., Chairman & CEO, Antigenics, Armenian; Alfred S. Austin, CEO, A.S. Austin Company, Inc., English/German; Endre Alexander Balazs, Chairman, Matrix Biology Institute, Hungarian/Swedish; Dr. Mark L. Barbasch, Physician/Humanitarian, Polish/Israeli; John Berberian, President, Jon's Market Place, Armenian; Nicholas Peter Bissias, President & CEO, Conrad's/Cable's Corporations, Hellenic; Ernest Borgnine, Oscar Winning Actor, Italian; Doug Brooks, President & CEO, Brinker International, Ger/Eng/Ire/Scot; Wayne H. Brunetti, Chairman & CEO, Xcel Energy Inc., Italian; John P. Cahill, Secretary to the Gov, NYS Executive Chamber, Irish; Dr. George Peter Canellos, Prof. Of Medicine, Harvard Medical School/Dana-Farber Cancer Inst., Hellenic; Arcadio Casillas, President & CEO, Preferred Compensation Corp., Cuban; Anthony N. Charaf, Senior Vice President, Delta Airlines, Lebanese; Nicholas E. Chimicles, Senior Partner, Chimicles & Tikellis LLP, Hellenic; Henry L. Chung, Former President, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Chinese; RADM Vivien S. Crea, Commander, U.S. First Coast Guard District, German/Eng/Scottish; Haig R. Dadourian, President, Dadourian Export Corp, Armenian; Mario Daniele, Vice President, Robert Shulman Institute, Italian; John A. Daskalakis, Managing General Partner, JonCin & Sons, Ltd., [[Page E1211]] Hellenic; His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate, Greek Orthodox Church of Amer., Hellenic; Charles Duval, President, Data Industries Ltd., African/French; Fawaz El Khoury, President, CMRK, Inc., Lebanese; Spyros Enotiades, Vice President, Clive Christian Dallas/Creative Design Cos., Hellenic/Cypriot; Jeronimo M. Esteve, President, Headquarter Toyota, Cuban; Thomas P. Fahey, Asst. Chief, NYC Police Department, Irish; Richard D. Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd., Lithuanian; Joseph R. Ficalora, President & CEO, New York Community Bank, Italian; Michael Ryan Flatley, ``Lord of the Dance,'' Irish; Kenneth Frangadakis, DDS, Cupertino Dental Group, Hellenic; Charles Patrick Gallagher, Chairman & CEO, Gallagher Enterprises, LLC, Irish/German; Major Gen. Jon A. Gallinetti, Commander, AA, Marie Corps Air Bases Western Area, German/Italian; William (Josh) Gaspero, Writer/Publisher, Italian/English; Francesco Giambelli, Restauranteur, Italian; Robert Giannelli, Assistant Chief, Chief of Detective's Office-- NYPD, Italian; Edmund Giegerich M.D., Exec. V.P. Medical Affairs, Long Island College Hospital, German/Italian; Sidney A. Goodman, Partner, The Goodman Group, Russ/Romanian/ Lithuanian; Steven H. Grapstein, CFO, Kuo Investment Co., Polish/Russian; Dr. Michael Grasso III, Chairman, Dept of Urology, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Italian; Richard Greco, Acting Dir. Private Sector Dev., Coalition Provisional Authority, Italian; Pierson M. Grieve, Chairman & CEO, Ecolab, Inc., Scottish/Eng/French; J. Barry Griswell, Chairman, President & CEO, Principal Financial Group, Inc., English/German; Edward Grzedzinski, CEO, Nova Information Systems, Polish/Italian; George E. Hall, President, Clinton Group, Inc., Irish/Scottish; William D. Harris, CEO, 2004 Republican Nat'l Convention, English/Welsh; Thomas L. Harrison, Chairman & CEO, Diversified Agency Services Div., German/Irish; Roberto R. Herencia, President, Banco Popular North America, Puerto Rican; A. Barry Hirschfeld, President, A.B. Hirschfeld Press, Russian; Arlene Hirschfeld, Community Volunteer/ Leader, Hung/Palestinian/Russ; Carole S.Hochman, Chairman & President, Carole Hochman Designs Inc., Russian/Latvian; Diarmuid M. Hogan, President & CEO, Global Excess Partners LLC, Irish; Stanley S. Hubbard, Chairman, Hubbard Broadcasting Inc., English/Norwegian; Lt. Gen. Charles L. Johnson, II, Commander, Electronics Systems Center, Irish/ Italo/English; Barbara McNeill Jordan, Chairman, Claneil Enterprises Inc., Scottish/English; Nicholas P. Koutsomitis, President, Koutsomitis Architects PC, Hellenic; Charles LaGanga, Managing Director, Direct Access Partners, LLC, Italian; Margaret K. Lam, President & CEO, Prosperity Resources Inter., Chinese; Richard John Lanigan, Secretary-Treasurer, Office & Prof Employees IU, Irish; Lawrence P. Lataif, Esq., President, Lataif & Associates, Lebanese; Frederick S. Lee, Chairman, Global Institute of Finance & Banking, Korean; Patrick J. Lynch, President, Patrolmen's Benevolent Assoc., Irish; Dr. Muhammed Majeed, Founder & CEO, Sabinsa Corporation, Asian Indian; Sam Maloof, President, Sam Maloof Woodworker Inc., Lebanese; Steve A. Manta, Manta Industrial, Inc., Hellenic; Sandra March, Trustee, United Federation of Teachers, Romanian/Russian; Sal Marchiano, Sportscaster, WPIX-TV, Italian; Joseph A. Martinez, President, Dynaric Inc., Cuban; Patrick McDonough, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, Irish/German; Jimmy Meng, President, Queens Lumber Co., Chinese; Frank Mercado-Valdes, President & CEO, Strategic Off Heritage Networks, Cuban/Puerto Rican/ Jam; Michael J. Merlo, Sr. Vice President & Chief Credit Officer, Signature Bank, Italian; Steven Mintz, Chairman, Unifood Group of Companies, Russian/Polish; William M. Mooney, Jr., Senior Vice President, Independence Community Bank, Irish; Sam Z. Moore, Chairman & CEO, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Lebanese; Joseph M. Murphy, Chairman, Country Bank, Irish; LeRoy Neiman, Artist, Swedish; Mike North, Broadcaster, WSCR--670AM (The Score), Italian/Irish; Roger V.Ohanesian, MD, President & CEO, The Armenian EyeCare Project, Armenian; George Pappas, President, MCS Advertising Ltd., Hellenic; Thomas Passios, President & CEO, Pinnacle Associates, Hellenic; Thomas H. Patchell, General Secretary Treasurer, United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters, Irish; Muriel Petioni, MD, President & CEO, Friends of Harlem Hospital Center, Caribbrean; Edward Pinkowski, President & Founder, Pinkowski Institute, Polish; Joe Piscopo, Actor/ Entertainer, Italian; Charles Louis Poulos, Entrepreneur/ Civic Leader, Hellenic; Hon. Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Argentine/Italian; John Psarouthakis, Ph.D., Founder & President, J.P. International, LLC, Hellenic; Dr. Kristjan T. Ragnarsson, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Icelandic; Carmine F. Ragucci, Chairman, Worldwide Group, LLC, Italian; Gopal Raju, Chairman, Indian American Center for Political Awareness, Asian Indian; Maria Fiorini Ramirez, President/CEO, MFR, Inc., Italian; Lillian Roberts, Executive Director, District Council 37--AFSCME, AFL-CIO, African; Peter J.M. Romary, CEO, Tanner & Romary, PA, English/French; Dr. Horst Kurt Saalbach, Chairman, FESTO Corporation, German; John Salamone, Exec. Dir. & Chief Admin. Officer, NIAF, Italian/German; Edward P. Salzano, Executive VP/COO, LiDestri Foods, Italian; Stanley Selengut, President, Maho Bay Camps, Inc., Harmony, Concordia, Russian/Austrian; Joseph F. Seminara, Attorney, Kurzman, Karelson & Frank, Italian; Nancy A. Shamow, Ph.D, Executive Director, Ascent School, Russian; Woongkil Song, President, Fed. Korean Amer Assoc. Greater NY, Korean; Gus Stavropoulos, President, Wolverine Carbide Die Co., Hellenic; Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Comptroller, State of Texas, Irish/Scottish; Garrett A. Sullivan, Ret. President & Vice Chair, Applied Digital Solutions, Irish; Stanley R. Szemborski VADM USN, Principal Deputy Director, Office Of The Secretary Of Defense, Polish; Hon. William B. Taylor Jr., Afghanistan Coordinator, US Department of State, Scottish/English; Sami E. Totah, President, Oxbridge Group, Syrian/Lebanese/Israeli; Sava S. Tshontikidis, President, Laurel Dodge, Inc., Turkish/ Hellenic; Kaya Tuncer, Chairman & CEO, ESBAS Aegean Free Zone, Dev. & Oper. Co.--Turkey, Turkish; Col. Tom L. Tyrrell USMC (Ret), Exec. Director & CEO, Scottish/Native Amer.; Charles J. Urstadt, Chairman & CEO, Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc., German/Irish; Ronald L. Vaughn, PhD, President, The University Of Tampa, Irish/German; James G. Veras, Exec. VP Emeritus, World Environment Center, Hellenic; Raghavendra R. Vijayanagar, MD, Director, Heart Institute Regional Medical Center, Asian Indian; John P.Volandes, Co-Founder & Director, Volmar Construction, Inc., Hellenic; Gus M. Vratsinas, Chairman & CEO, VCC, Hellenic; John P. Walsh, Chairman & CEO, Irish American Cultural Institute, Irish; Gerri Warren-Merrick, Vice Pres. Corp. Community Relations, Time Warner, African; Col. Kewyn L. Williams, Commander, US Army Garrison, African; Rev. Canon Frederick Boyd Williams, Rector, Episcopal Church of the Intercession, African/Native Amer. (Cherokee) Eng/Scottish; Warner Wolf, TV Sports Broadcaster, Polish/English; Allen Wu Esq., Chairman, Wu & Kao, P.L.L.C., Chinese; Jay S. Yadav, M.D., Director, Vascular Intervention, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Asian Indian; Jon H. Yeung, Chairman & CEO, Youngtech, Inc., Chinese; Dae Kun Yoo, President & CEO, Y.S. Farm Country, Korean; Kiyoon Yoon M.D., Physician/Community Leader, Korean; Mike S. Zafirovski, President & COO, Motorola, Inc., Macedonian; Barry L. Zaret, M.D., Chief Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School Of Medicine, Russian/Austrian; Frederick A. Zito, Aerospace Engineer (Ret.), NASA, Italian. ____________________