[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 91 (Thursday, June 17, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO JULIO SALINAS

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2010

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Julio 
Salinas for his commitment to excellence in business and contracting.
  Julio Salinas is the owner of Mecca Contracting, Inc. located in the 
Bushwick section of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Salinas was born in Canton 
San Juan Bosco, Morona Santiago Ecuador and came to Brooklyn twenty 
years ago. He is married to Sonia Salinas and they have two children, 
Donna, age 12, and Emily, age 2.
  Mr. Salinas likes to work with people, especially those that need 
encouragement to take a step in the right direction. From his early 
experiences in the United States as a laborer, he knows firsthand how 
difficult life can be. He draws strength from his upbringing and thanks 
his parents for showing him the right path to walk. His parents' 
guidance allowed him to become a man of great integrity and moral 
fortitude. He was educated at Rio Upano de la ciudad de Sucua, Ecuador 
where he obtained his Bachelor's degree.
  Mr. Salinas started Mecca Contracting, Inc. in 1997 and worked first 
as a subcontractor, and now as a general contractor. He works closely 
with the City of New York, Department of Housing Preservation and 
Development (HPD). Mr. Salinas holds numerous certifications: NYC 
Department of Small Business Services (MBE), NY & NJ Minority Supplier 
Development Council (MBE), Empire State Development (Minority-Owned 
Business Enterprise), the Port Authority of NY & NJ (Minority-Owned and 
Small Business Enterprise), New York City MWSBE Housing Authority, NYC 
School of Construction Authority (MBE), and the Dormitory Authority-
State of New York (MWBE). In 2002 he obtained a certificate from the 
Construction Management Institute sponsored by Jamaica Business 
Resource Center and New York State Chapter of the National Association 
of Minority Contractors. In 2003 he completed the Construction 
Management Training Certificate Program, sponsored by New York City 
Department of Small Business Services and Turner Construction. And in 
2006 he obtained a certificate in Construction Management Building 
Blocks Program, sponsored by Skanska USA, The New York State Chapter of 
the National Association of Minority Contractors and Medgar Evers 
College. In 2008 he obtained a Certificate in Construction Management, 
sponsored by Pace University, Regional Alliance for Small Contractors, 
and The Port Authority of NY & NJ. In 2004 Mr. Salinas started another 
business called Broadway Supplies Lumber Corp.
  Mr. Salinas has affiliations with the Regional Alliance for Small 
Contractors, the New York State Chapter of the National Association of 
Minority Contractors, The Association of Minority Enterprises of New 
York, Inc., NHCA Hispanic National Construction Association., League of 
United Latin American Citizens and Youth Organization JUVE Ecuador. He 
has also been a member of Community Board # 4. In his free time he 
enjoys watching documentaries on television and listenting to sports 
and classical music. He enjoys his weekends greatly, often with a good 
meal.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
achievements of Julio Salinas.

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