[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 184 (Wednesday, November 30, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S6899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY TORRES

 Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I would like to recognize and 
celebrate the many accomplishments of Mr. Johnny Torres, who has been 
an exemplary business leader for decades and has promoted Latino 
businesses in pioneering and innovative ways.
  Born in Mayaguez, PR, to Mr. Senen Torres and Mrs. Rosa Rodriguez, 
Mr. Johnny Torres has been married to his wife Gloria for 57 years and 
is the proud father of Manuel, Richard, and Diana. After graduating 
from high school, he completed his B.A. in interior design at New York 
University and has been a resident of New Jersey for the last 47 years. 
In 1960, Mr. Torres took over the management and operation of a bodega 
that he and his brother purchased. As a bodeguero, he realized there 
was an urgent need to create an organization representing Spanish-
speaking merchants to advocate on their behalf. Inspired by this 
experience, Mr. Torres founded the Metropolitan Spanish Merchants 
Association, also known as La Metro.
  As the association grew, it increased its activities to effectively 
channel Hispanic food retailers' purchasing power. Mr. Torres 
organized, developed, and promoted the Cash & Carry Cooperative concept 
among the grocers and planned the growth and future of the cooperative, 
with sales reaching over $56,000,000 in 1986.
  As Mr. Torres familiarized himself with the needs and challenges of 
the small business community, he was determined to take action on their 
behalf. He spearheaded the creation of a technical assistance unit in 
the areas of business management; ``El Vocero Mercantil,'' a Spanish 
trade newspaper; Metro Merchants Federal Credit Union to provide 
financial assistance to small merchants; and Metro Superette, Inc., a 
network of small grocery stores working under the name of Metro 
Superette and enjoying the benefits of a big chain.
  Mr. Torres' knowledge and experience as a retailer, wholesaler, and 
small business organizer in New York was recognized by merchants across 
the Nation, helping create similar organizations. For 8 years, Mr. 
Torres helped spread this knowledge as a lecturer on small business 
management and development at Hostos Community College in the South 
Bronx.
  Mr. Torres retired from the food industry in 1989 after 29 years of 
service. He then created the Institute for Human Development in New 
Jersey. As president of the institute, Mr. Torres is dedicated to the 
creation of programs for Spanish-speaking sales people, executives, 
small business groups, and other organizations. Thousands of men, 
women, and children have benefited from his conferences and seminars, 
which cover subjects such as stress management, human relations, self-
improvement, small businesses, and family relations.
  For the past 25 years, Johnny has served Save Latin America, Inc., 
where he has planned, implemented, and advocated for various programs 
and services.
  As Mr. Torres nears retirement, I am glad to see that his visionary 
leadership, talent, and genuine commitment to helping others are being 
recognized. I proudly congratulate Johnny Torres on his well-earned 
Lifetime Achievement Award for his exemplary service to small 
businesses, the Latino community, the people of New Jersey.

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