[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING RECIPIENTS OF THE 2004 HENRY B. GONZALEZ AWARDS

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                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hispanic citizens 
from the 9th District of Texas being honored September 25, 2004 for 
their work in the community. While the dedication of Hispanic leaders 
is well-known throughout the United States, local citizens, right here 
in the Southeast Gulf Coast region, are just as important to ensuring 
equal rights and economic progress for all Texans.
  Each year, I ask members of the communities in the 9th District to 
nominate individuals for the Henry B. Gonzalez Latino Leadership Award. 
This award, named in honor of the late Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, 
gives special recognition to those who have worked selflessly, often 
without recognition, and made contributions both in the Hispanic 
community and the broader community as well. Recipients were chosen 
because their spirit of giving and sharing spirit makes a substantial 
contribution to our community and inspires others to do the same.
  While their efforts may not make the headlines every day, the 
recipients' service and dedication to our country is nevertheless vital 
to our entire region. Southeast Texas is not successful in spite of our 
diversity, but rather successful because of it.
  Please join me in recognizing and congratulating these leaders for 
their work an commitment to their communities and to southeast Texas. 
It is leaders like these men and women that continue to be a source of 
pride for Texas. The winners of this years Henry B. Gonzalez Latino 
Leadership Award are: Mrs. Sabrina Vrooman, Mr. Joe Hernandez, Mr. 
Albert Seguin, Mr. Manuel Escontrias, Mr. Hipolito Acosta, Mr. Carlos 
Lopez, and Mrs. Maria Barrios de Estrello.
  Mr. Speaker, the recipients of the Henry B. Gonzalez Award are 
dedicated and hardworking individuals who have done so much for their 
neighbors and for this Nation as a whole. Today, I stand to recognize 
their spirit and to say that I am honored to be their Representative.

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