[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 141 (Thursday, October 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1474-E1475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2013

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following.


            Recognizing the accomplishments of Jose Alvarez

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize Jose Alvarez, Commissioner for the City of Kissimmee, for his 
outstanding career and service to the community.
  Mr. Alvarez was born in Cuba, and moved to the United States in 1971. 
He was raised in Miami, where he worked for the Bridge and Road 
Engineering Department of the Florida Department of Transportation, 
before relocating to Central Florida.
  Mr. Alvarez has tirelessly served the Hispanic community in 
Kissimmee, Florida while also achieving success in the local real 
estate market. He has held many positions both in the public and 
private sector including the Board of Directors for League of United 
Latin American Citizens, the Board of Directors for National 
Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, and the Board of 
Directors for Osceola Association of Realtors. He has demonstrated a 
thorough understanding of both the business and real estate market.
  In 2012 Mr. Alvarez was elected to be Commissioner for the City of 
Kissimmee. He has developed a flourishing career and earned the respect 
of his constituents for his dedicated service to the community. Mr. 
Alvarez is happily married to his wife Darlene, with whom he has five 
daughters and two grandsons.
  I am happy to recognize Mr. Alvarez, during Hispanic Heritage Month, 
for his proven commitment to his community and leadership in Osceola 
County.


            Recognizing the Public Service of Jonathan Evans

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize Jonathan Evans for his commitment to public service.
  Jonathan possesses a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, and a Master's 
Degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Central 
Florida. He is currently working on another Master's Degree in Business 
Administration from Saint Leo University.
  Jonathan has worked as a public servant for several Central Florida 
communities including the City of St. Cloud, the Town of Celebration, 
the City of Largo, and Haines City. Jonathan was hired as the Haines 
City Assistant City Manager on July 16, 2012, and was appointed as 
Acting City Manager on May 16, 2013. Prior to his work in Haines City, 
Jonathan worked for the City of Largo for nearly 6 years as the 
Assistant to the City Manager.
  Jonathan is a full member of the Florida City and County Management 
Association, FCCMA, and has served on numerous boards for the 
organization. He is also a member of the International City/County 
Management Association, ICMA, and is taking the required steps to 
become an ICMA Credentialed Manager.
  Jonathan has a strong grasp on municipal government, and a great work 
ethic that has not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous awards 
including the United Gold Award, the Children's Empowerment Award, and 
was named the Employee of the Month by the City of St. Cloud.
  I am happy to honor Jonathan Evans, during Hispanic Heritage Month, 
for his outstanding leadership and public service.


             Recognizing the accomplishments of Ellen Ochoa

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize the inspiring career of Ellen Ochoa, astronaut, engineer, and 
Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center.
  Ellen Ochoa received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from San 
Diego State University in 1980. She then went on to attend Stanford 
University, where she received a Master of Science degree and Doctorate 
in Electrical Engineering.
  She was selected by NASA in January 1990 and became the first 
Hispanic female astronaut in July 1991. Her technical assignments in 
the Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center included crew 
representative for flight software, computer hardware and robotics, 
Assistant for Space Station to the Chief of the Astronaut Office, lead 
spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control, and Acting Deputy 
Chief of the Astronaut Office. As a veteran of four space flights, 
Ellen has logged nearly 1000 hours in space.
  Ellen is a pioneer of spacecraft technology. She is a co-inventor for 
three patents for an optical inspection system, an optical object 
recognition method, and a method for noise removal in images. At the 
NASA Ames Research Center, she led a research group working primarily 
on optical systems for automated space exploration. She has received 
numerous awards for her accomplishments including NASA's Exceptional 
Service Medal, Outstanding Leadership Medal, and four Space Flight 
Medals.
  Since 2007, Ellen has served as Deputy Director of the Johnson Space 
Center, helping to manage and direct the Astronaut Office and Aircraft 
Operations. On January 1, 2013, Ochoa made history again by becoming 
the first Hispanic and second female director of NASA's Johnson Space 
Center.
  I am happy to honor Ellen Ochoa, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for 
her exceptional career, numerous accomplishments, and contributions to 
the Hispanic community.


                 Honoring the Career of Jose Feliciano

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month to 
recognize Mr. Jose Feliciano, a Puerto Rican musician whose 
international success is a true testament to his amazing talent.
  Mr. Feliciano was born in Lares, Puerto Rico. At the age of five he 
immigrated with his parents and siblings to New York City. Due to 
congenital glaucoma, he was left permanently blind at birth. However, 
his disability has not hindered his passion for playing music. Mr. 
Feliciano's love for music began at the age of three, when he first 
accompanied his uncle on a tin cracker can. By the age of six, he had 
taught himself to play the concertina simply by listening to records 
and practicing. When Mr. Feliciano received his first guitar, he spent 
hours practicing each day and started taking classical lessons with a 
guitar instructor.
  In 1963, Mr. Feliciano signed a contract with RCA Records. Over the 
course of his career he has had numerous chart-topping singles in 
multiple countries. His famous single, `Feliz Navidad,' tops the charts 
every year during the holidays. The American Society of Composers, 
Authors and Publishers named `Feliz

[[Page E1475]]

Navidad' one of the top 25 most frequently played and recorded 
Christmas songs worldwide. Mr. Feliciano has received numerous awards 
over the course of his career including nine Grammys, a star on 
Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation's 
Lifetime Achievement Award. The City of New York also honored him by 
renaming Public School 155 in East Harlem, ``The Jose Feliciano 
Performing Art School.''

  Mr. Feliciano is not only a talented musician, but also a 
humanitarian. He serves as the International Immigrants Foundation's 
Honorary Ambassador and Official Delegate before the United Nations. He 
also serves as a board member for New Hampshire's Association for the 
Blind. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, an ancient and 
prestigious Papal Order of the Catholic Church, knighted Mr. Feliciano 
at St. Patrick's Cathedral. He also received a Doctorate Degree in 
Humane Letters from Sacred Heart University for his musical and 
humanitarian contributions to the world.
  I am happy to honor Mr. Jose Feliciano, during Hispanic Heritage 
Month, for his many contributions to music and humanity.


             Recognizing the Accomplishments of Denise Diaz

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize a hardworking community organizer, civil rights activist, and 
working mother of two.
  Originally from Puerto Rico, Denise Diaz's parents raised her and her 
brother on the northwest side of Chicago. Her parents worked hard in 
the airline catering industry to provide a better life for their 
children. As union members, they instilled Denise with a strong sense 
of collective action and a passion for justice.
  Denise Diaz received her BA in Political Science from the University 
of Illinois at Chicago. Her activism began in organizing on the South 
Side of Chicago. She later became a tenant rights organizer in 
immigrant communities outside of Washington, D.C.
  In 2007, Denise moved to Central Florida to raise her two children 
and continue community organizing on workers' rights issues. Denise can 
often be seen picketing in front of major employers, meeting with 
workers, and leading community events with the support of her husband 
Mark and her two children, Zoe and Zion.
  For over five years, Denise has served as the Executive Director of 
Central Florida Jobs with Justice. She is also a National Jobs with 
Justice board member and a board member of the Florida Institute for 
Reform and Empowerment (FIRE).
  Denise's work with the Central Florida Jobs with Justice, a coalition 
of unions, community based groups, faith based and student groups that 
work together on economic justice campaigns, has empowered and improved 
the lives of working families in Orlando.
  I am happy to honor Denise Diaz, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for 
her incredible accomplishments on behalf of the working families in 
Central Florida.


   Recognizing Jose F. Mendez for 40 Years of Expanding Educational 
                             Opportunities

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize the inspiring career of Jose F. Mendez. He has committed the 
last 40 years to expanding educational opportunities both in Puerto 
Rico and the United States.
  Mr. Mendez has served as President of Ana G. Mendez University System 
(AGMUS) since 1974. In 1978, Mr. Mendez advocated for the creation of a 
Televised Study Center to make university education accessible to 
students who could not attend a traditional style university. Through 
his efforts, a televised education program was created and has since 
been utilized by thousands of students and the prison population of 
Puerto Rico. In 1985, under Mr. Mendez' stewardship, AGMUS founded 
Channel 40 (today, Sistema TV), Puerto Rico's first privately operated 
television station affiliated to PBS.
  Mr. Mendez formed partnerships between universities in the United 
States and Puerto Rico to spark an interest in science and technology 
among minority groups. Under his leadership, AGMUS has grown to become 
the second largest private university in Puerto Rico. AGMUS also has 
three campuses in Florida, including one in my district, and one in 
Maryland.
  Mr. Mendez has held various positions in educational leadership and 
received numerous awards. One of his crowning achievements was the 
creation of AGMUS's Permanent Fund for scholarships which provides 
education to talented students from low income areas.
  Mr. Jose Mendez has focused his efforts on education because he 
believes that our ability to learn and to contribute to human progress 
is our greatest gift. I am happy to honor Jose F. Mendez, during 
Hispanic Heritage Month, for his unwavering commitment to expanding 
educational opportunities for all.


    Recognizing the Career and Accomplishments of Betsy Franceschini

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize the career of Betsy Franceschini. Mrs. Franceschini is a 
leader in both the Central Florida and national Hispanic community.
  Mrs. Franceschini has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and a 
Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the Pontifical Catholic 
University of Puerto Rico. She has received multiple awards and 
recognitions, including Magellan Media Corporation's Businesswoman of 
the Year Award in 2001, the Dove of Peace International Award in 2006 
for her outstanding community leadership, the Hispanic Business 
Initiative Fund--Success Story Award, and the Entrepreneurial 
Excellence Award in 2008. Mrs. Franceschini was also recognized in 2012 
as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Hispanics in Central Florida by 
Vision Magazine and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando.
  Mrs. Franceschini has been extremely active in the community since 
moving to Florida in 1985, focusing on issues affecting minorities. In 
2003, Mrs. Franceschini was appointed by Mayor Buddy Dyer to serve in 
the City of Orlando's Strategic Team and Transportation Committee. She 
also served on the Board of the Hispanic Initiative Business Fund from 
1999 to 2006 and headed the Hispanic Task Force for the Census 2000 in 
Orange and Seminole Counties. Just before that, she served as President 
of the Asociacion Borinquena (Puerto Rican Association of Central 
Florida), from 1997 to 1999.
  In February 2011, Mrs. Franceschini was one of 15 Latino leaders 
selected by the White House to meet with President Obama to discuss 
issues important to the Hispanic community. In addition, she 
successfully organized and executed the first ever White House Hispanic 
Summit in Central Florida. In March 2011, she was appointed as the 
first Hispanic Outreach Director for the Florida Democratic Party and 
successfully accomplished the goal of increasing Hispanic voter 
participation in Central Florida.
  Mrs. Franceschini recently worked as the Deputy District Director and 
Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for my office in Orlando. On July 1, 
2013, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, appointed 
her as the Florida Regional Director for the Puerto Rico Federal 
Affairs Administration. Over twenty-eight years of dedication and 
commitment has earned her a high level of respect, support, and 
admiration as a national Hispanic leader in public service.
  I am happy to honor Betsy Franceschini, during Hispanic Heritage 
Month, for her outstanding accomplishments and service to the Hispanic 
community.

                          ____________________