[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 43 (Thursday, April 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO FLOR MARINA PRIETO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Flor Marina 
Prieto and I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the 
accomplishments of this outstanding member of the community.
  Flor Marina Prieto was born in Bogota, Colombia, into a typical 
middle class Colombian family. Ms. Prieto's father was Captain of the 
National Police and her mother worked, mainly at home, as an art 
decorator making very beautiful artificial and natural flower 
arrangements. Ms. Prieto's mother chose Flor Marina's name because of 
her love for flowers and her father's passion for the sea. Ms. Prieto's 
was comprised of school and home surrounded with plenty of love.
  Ms. Prieto graduated as a secretary in Bogota, Colombia and soon 
after came to the United States. As a hobby, she attended ballet 
classes and had the opportunity to perform as an amateur ballerina. 
Soon after taking her marriage vows, Ms. Prieto's had her best 
treasure, her lovely daughter Jacqueline.
  Ms. Prieto foresaw the importance and impact of computers in 
education. In order to learn about this and to earn some money so that 
she could pay for her college career, she worked as representative of a 
Colombian Computer Company in the United States. She traveled several 
times to Europe searching for specialized software to be sold in South 
America.
  Later, she created her own small company M&B Computer Export because 
at the time it was a good business to sell computers and peripherals 
outside the United States. Several years later, she decided she was 
ready to start college to study Psychology. Ms. Prieto studied at St. 
John's University and graduated in May of 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts 
in Psychology. Ms. Prieto was so enthralled with this field that she 
decided to continue her studies in graduate school. She studied at St. 
John's University as well for a graduate degree in Bilingual School 
Counseling. Ms. Prieto graduated in June of 2000 with a Master of 
Science in Education. In addition, upon graduation, she was awarded 
with honors, the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence.
  Ms. Prieto is currently working as a Bilingual Counselor at Eastwood 
School, P.S. 95. She is very pleased and fulfilled with her role as a 
counselor. She is very happy to work with children. Ms. Prieto feels 
her job is very rewarding because she is able to witness how a child's 
life can change or improve with her help. It is very satisfying to know 
that one can make a difference in a child's life. Ms. Prieto's main 
objective was to graduate as a counselor and then use this knowledge to 
help educate special children. This dream is now a beautiful reality.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe this body, in recognition of her life and 
efforts, should pay tribute to Ms. Flor Marina Prieto.

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