[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E555-E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING STEVEN ORTIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2013

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2013 recipient 
of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Hailing from Willington, 
Connecticut, Steven Ortiz is the first Costa Rican-American to receive 
this honor in award's 27-year history.
  Steven is the founder and director of The Good Samaritan Project, 
which donates new and slightly worn clothing throughout Latin America 
and has provided educational scholarships in Costa Rica. His clear 
global vision, leadership and philanthropic spirit has ensured that his 
organization is run completely by volunteers and that 100 percent of 
donations are used for charitable purposes.
  Steven serves in the Massachusetts Air National Guard as the 
Commander and conductor of the Air National Guard Band of the 
Northeast. Under his leadership, the band's various ensembles provide 
support for military units and civilian events, and perform for tens of 
thousands of people every year throughout the Nation.
  He has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in 
both public and private schools in Connecticut and has led ensembles at 
the collegiate level. As an undergraduate student, Ortiz founded the 
Danbury Youth Band and has provided numerous instruments at no cost to 
children at home and abroad. He has facilitated thousands of hours of 
free and low-cost music instruction in an effort to keep children safe 
and engaged in productive activities, while ensuring they learn 
valuable life lessons.
  The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is a prestigious award presented to 
an immigrant who dedicates his life to helping others, preserves and 
celebrates the history, traditions and values of his ancestry while 
proving himself as a valuable citizen of the United States. Recipients 
like Steven strive for tolerance and acceptance among ethnic, racial, 
and religious groups in our nation and abroad and above all, they share 
their personal or professional gifts for the benefit of humanity. I ask 
that my colleagues join with me in congratulating Steven Ortiz on his 
impressive achievement.

[[Page E556]]



                          ____________________