[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 139 (Thursday, October 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2194-E2195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF HISPANIC LEADERS AND IN COMMEMORATION OF HISPANIC 
                             HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 27, 2005

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. 
House of Representatives in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage month to 
recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of remarkable 
leaders of the Hispanic community. I am honored to acknowledge the 
wonderful contributions of Margarita Rosa Esq., Frances Lucerna, Dr. 
Maria Montes, Elizabeth C. Yeampierre and Rev. Jorge L. Roa, Jr. These 
individuals have been a true inspiration, working tirelessly to better 
the lives of New Yorkers and the Hispanic community by making a 
positive impact in our community.
  Through devotion and commitment, these enthusiastic role models have 
excelled in their strong community service and diligent work to improve 
the quality of life in many disenfranchised neighborhoods, encouraging

[[Page E2195]]

the next generation of Latino leaders. A living example of this arduous 
dedication is Ms. Margarita Rosa who is the Executive Director of Grand 
Street Settlement, a New York based community organization whose 
primary vision is to improve the lives of those less fortunate or 
disadvantaged by encouraging self-determination through learning 
advocacy, support and community building.
  Margarita has been a steadfast, passionate advocate of human rights, 
as the first Hispanic woman to be appointed to the New York State 
Commission on Human Rights in the early 1990's. Working at the local 
government level gave her the unique perspective of understanding how 
public policy affects diverse communities. Margarita's accomplishments 
have been plentiful--being honored for her eager public service 
dedication, she received a prestigious teaching fellowship award, and 
is currently an active member of several Boards of Directors for 
organizations such as the Public Interest Law Foundation at New York 
University (NYU) Law School, the New York Civil Liberties Union, and 
the Lower Union East Side Family Union. These endeavors are a mere 
representation of Margarita's achievements and willingness to continue 
empowering those in need.

  Another notable and distinguished leader has been an energetic force 
and true pioneer in the world of cultural and performing arts. Ms. 
Frances Lucerna founded the Williamsburg Arts and Cultural Council for 
Youth, a community performing and visual arts program for youngsters. 
She later became the co-founder and Executive Director of El Puente 
Academy for Peace and Justice, a Brooklyn youth-based community 
development organization nurturing leadership for peace and social 
justice. Frances' leadership and artistic vision motivated her to 
develop one of the most comprehensive Latino arts and cultural center, 
which provide young students with the opportunity to express themselves 
artistically.
  As a strong advocate for education and a loving artist, Frances has 
broken barriers by channeling the talent and skill of thousands of 
youngsters into a bright path and a hopeful future for many within the 
community. As a visionary with an artistic soul, Frances has achieved 
many high recognitions highlighting her efforts, such as the 1998 Heinz 
Award for the Human Condition, and being appointed to the Advisory 
Committee to the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and 
the Community School Task Force for the White House Conference on 
Character Building for a Democratic, Civil Society. She has also served 
on the Boards of Directors of the Arts Center of the Brooklyn Academy 
of Music and the Community Youth Development Guide Team of the National 
Network for Youth.
  Among the list of remarkable thinkers impacting higher education is 
Dr. Maria Montes Morales, Vice-President and Dean of Academic Affairs 
at Boricua College. Dr. Montes Morales understood the critical value of 
education and how peoples' lives could be transformed. She lived and 
realized the educational injustices faced by Latinos, which allowed her 
to make a difference and change the traditional college learning 
environment. Her vision and commitment to educate and empower Latinos 
in New York City motivated her to help establish the first Boricua 
College campus in Williamsburg, Brooklyn which opened in 1974.
  This was a tremendous achievement for the community, especially since 
many of the Williamsburg residents were Spanish speaking and interested 
in furthering their education at an institution that was culturally 
sensitive, community based, competitive and accessible. Since its 
creation, thousands of students have graduated from this Boricua 
College campus, with many remaining in the community and providing 
professional human services.
  Maria's contribution to higher education for all students, especially 
Latinos, is highly commendable. Her leadership at Boricua College 
successfully promotes student learning through active participation in 
meaningful and planned service experiences in the community that are 
directly related to course content. With a humanistic approach, such as 
a sense of civic responsibility, self-awareness, and commitment to the 
community, Dr. Montes Morales makes Boricua College an outstanding and 
unique higher learning institution in New York City.
  Mr. Speaker, I am also proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by 
recognizing the great efforts of Mrs. Elizabeth C. Yeampierre, 
Executive Director of the United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset 
Park (UPROSE), Brooklyn's oldest Latino community-based organization. 
Under Elizabeth's leadership, UPROSE has become the frontier 
organization on multiracial environmental justice issues impacting the 
community. Its ``Youth Justice'' program has set the path to several 
victories advocating on behalf of low-income and minority communities 
that are environmentally overburdened.
  Elizabeth's dedication and endeavors at UPROSE have included 
promoting youth, family and community empowerment, and creating 
awareness for environmental issues impacting the living conditions of 
residents in Sunset Park. Her accomplishments range from successfully 
leading UPROSE in opposition to the Sunset Energy Fleet 520--a power 
plant proposal to place two power plants in the area--to campaigning 
against the placement of a sewage sludge treatment plant in Sunset 
Park, and advocating the prevention of child lead paint poisoning.
  Elizabeth has also created an effective ``Youth Justice'' program 
which provides young environmental activists across the country with 
opportunities to promote environmental issues. As a result, these young 
leaders were able to organize the first environmental justice 
conference in Sunset Park. The outstanding work and contributions of 
UPROSE under Elizabeth's leadership has had a valuable impact on the 
residents of Sunset Park.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to commend and acknowledge the highly 
regarded work of Reverend Jorge L. Roa, Jr. a native of Brooklyn and a 
devoted pastor who committed his life to God, and assisting those most 
in need, including youngsters and the Hispanic community. Rev. Roa has 
been a true inspiration who has excelled in promoting youth programs 
within his church, ``the Missionary Christian Church,'' in Manhattan 
where he preaches and is very pro-active on social and justice issues.
  Rev. Roa has touched many lives by helping his community seek 
spiritual guidance and a path, collaborating in missionary projects 
such as rebuilding churches, and collecting donations for relief 
efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He has been a 
humanitarian champion in this country and abroad, taking part in 
missions providing food, water, medicine and other resources to 
impoverished communities throughout different countries, including 
Latin America and Africa.
  Rev. Roa, is also the program director of a radio and TV show known 
as ``En sus Pasos'' or ``In Your Steps,'' which is transmitted in 
Manhattan. He is also the author of a renowned book, ``Una Luz de Dios, 
La Historia de la Iglesia Cristiana Misionera,'' ``A light of God, the 
History of the Christian Missionary Church.'' Rev. Roa's true vocations 
have enlightened the community and changed the lives of many youngsters 
throughout his 24 years of ministry. His excellence in leadership and 
service is laudable for Latinos and residents of the Manhattan 
community and beyond.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor for me to rise today and recognize 
these wonderful Hispanic leaders who I firmly believe possess key 
elements that strengthen our culture, community and nation. In 
commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month, it is essential and truly 
important to emphasize the life-time commitment these remarkable 
persons have demonstrated in breaking down stereotypes about Latinos, 
and empowering the Hispanic American community.

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