[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 26804-26805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       HONORING RAMON DE LA CRUZ

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
efforts of my constituent, Mr. Ramon de la Cruz, who serves as 
President of the Hispanic Bar Association, HBA, of New Jersey. Mr. de 
la Cruz is being honored on November 6, 1999 at the Annual Scholarship 
Gala of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, and I am proud to 
congratulate him on a job well done.
  Recently, we celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month. I am proud 
today to recognize the efforts of a man and organization who illustrate 
so well the strong work ethic, deep affinity to service and commitment 
to our nation of the Hispanic American community. For countless years, 
Hispanic Americans have played an integral role in our legal system, 
and I am proud to represent a state with a large concentration of 
Hispanic Americans. Their commitment to this country has not gone 
unnoticed.
  Ramon de la Cruz has been active with the HBA for the past ten years 
and has served with distinction. He has lent his support to countless 
causes, including the promotion of qualified Hispanic lawyers for state 
and federal

[[Page 26805]]

judgeships, creating scholarship opportunities for law students, and 
initiating professional exchange opportunities in conjunction with 
other bar associations. Additionally, Ramon has served as editor of 
ABOGADO, the official publication of the HBA, for four years. 
Furthermore, when it came time to consider candidates for the federal 
bench, Ramon was one of the people I turned to for assistance. I was 
proud to submit to the White House the nomination of Judge Julio 
Fuentes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and Ramon 
worked extensively with my staff to bring this to fruition. Ramon has 
been vital to the success of the Hispanic Bar Association of New 
Jersey. Through his efforts, membership has grown to approximately 
three times that of previous years.
  Mr. de la Cruz is a resident of Guttenberg in the diverse County of 
Hudson, which is home to countless Hispanic Americans that I have the 
privilege of representing. Since its inception and through Ramon's 
leadership, the HBA has been dedicated to making a real difference in 
our state, and indeed the nation. Ramon has brought vision and new 
energy to this organization.
  The judicial branch plays such a critical role in the life of our 
democratic institutions, and the industry is well served by true 
professionals like Ramon de la Cruz. His credentials and background are 
indeed impressive.
  The HBA's positive impact on the Hispanic community has spread to 
other communities in a manner that transcends racial and ethnic 
differences. Mr. President, activism is important to creating a sense 
of personal responsibility for one's community. The HBA embodies this 
concept, and should be celebrated for successfully instilling it in 
others. I take pride in recognizing distinguished individuals in the 
great State of New Jersey like Ramon de la Cruz.

                          ____________________