[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 165 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. MARK ALVARADO

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                         HON. MICHAEL A. ARCURI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 29, 2007

  Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Mark 
Alvarado, a resident of my congressional district in upstate New York. 
Mark currently serves as the field representative for New York DeMolay, 
but he is leaving this position at the end of the fiscal year.
  DeMolay is a youth organization that develops leadership skills, 
civic awareness and personal responsibility among young men. With more 
than one thousand chapters worldwide, the organization combines its 
serious mission with a fun approach.
  Mark's first experience with DeMolay came when he joined, and later 
became the master councilor of, the David J. Nye chapter in Ohio. After 
serving as the secretary and president for Northeast Ohio, he became 
the state secretary in July 1995. Due to his outstanding work in Ohio, 
Mr. Alvarado was offered a position at the DeMolay International 
Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2002, he became the field 
representative for New York DeMolay.
  During his tenure as field representative, Mark has traveled 
throughout the state to help the members of New York DeMolay as they 
have contributed approximately ten thousand hours of community service 
per year. He has developed and implemented a membership education 
curriculum, and planned conventions, athletic weekends and charity 
functions.
  Perhaps Mark's greatest accomplishment as field representative has 
been the redevelopment and expansion of the Mohawk Valley chapter, 
which is based in my hometown of Utica. Due to his encouragement and 
support, the chapter has become involved in many community events, 
including the Boilermaker Road Race and the St. John's Day Festival.
  In recognition of his work with DeMolay, Mark has received numerous 
honors including the Leadership Correspondence Course, the Blue Honor 
Key, the Chevalier, the Legion of Honor and the Representative DeMolay 
Award.
  Mark's exceptional dedication is to be commended. As the father of 
two teenagers, I recognize the importance of organizations like DeMolay 
that encourage young people to get involved in their communities. I 
thank him for his commitment and wish him luck as he pursues his future 
goals.

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