[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 58 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE TEPEYAC ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2005

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to pay tribute to the Tepeyac Association. This outstanding 
organization has served the Latino American community in New York for 
the past 8 years. Their unyielding dedication to the building of a 
strong Mexican-American and Latino community in New York is 
commendable.
  In the South Bronx, Mexican immigrants have played an important role 
in helping to reenergize various neighborhoods. The vibrant Mexican-
American community brings added diversity and flavor to an area already 
rich with Puerto Ricans, Dominicans and African Americans. The result 
is a wonderful confluence of cultures that help to bring the Bronx to 
life. I am happy to welcome this new group of immigrants to our 
community. They, like the groups that have come before them have helped 
to make life in the Bronx as vibrant and diverse as it is today.
  The tremendous strides that this community has made not only in my 
district but throughout New York, is in large part due to the great 
work of the Tepeyac Association Tepeyac is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 
network of 40 community based organizations, whose mission is to 
promote the social welfare and human rights of Latino immigrants in New 
York City with a focus on those who are undocumented. Founded in 
September, 1997 by Mexican community leaders, the Association is the 
only public resource dedicated to organizing Mexican immigrants in the 
5 boroughs. Tepeyac is also dedicated to informing and educating 
Mexican immigrants and their families about their rights and available 
resources. Through its grassroots structure and leadership the 
Association serves over 10,000 members.
  Mr. Speaker, as we continue to debate legislation in the 109th 
Congress that will affect the lives of immigrants, it is important that 
we remember that we are a nation of immigrants. All of our families 
came to the U.S. in search of a better life, and the American Dream. To 
be anti-immigrant is to forget our history, and to reject the very 
values that make our country so great. I will continue to fight against 
policies that are hateful and unwelcoming to those who comes to this 
country seeking a better life. It is my hope that organizations such as 
Tepeyac will continue to make the transition into American life easier 
for the Mexican-American community.
  On this day, Cinco de Mayo, 2005, I salute the many contributions 
that Tepeyac has made to the South Bronx. I thank the Mexican-American 
community for its continuing contribution to American life and culture 
and for playing such an important role in revitalizing our inner 
cities. I ask that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Tepeyac.




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