[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 IN HONOR OF BELINDA CUEVAS, WHO IS BEING HONORED AS ``AN OUTSTANDING 
             HUMAN BEING'' BY THE PUERTO RICAN ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2000

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Belinda Cuevas of 
Perth Amboy, New Jersey for being recognized by the Puerto Rican 
Association for Human Development as ``an outstanding community 
member'' and ``an outstanding human being.''
  Born and raised in Perth Amboy, she has demonstrated a continued 
commitment to her community through her work with the local school and 
church. She has served as President of the Parent Teachers Organization 
at the EJ Patten School, and has served as a catechist and member of 
the choir at La Asuncion Church for a number of years.
  In her devotion to the community, Belinda strives to live up to the 
inspirational example of her late grandmother Balbina DeJesus 
Hernandez. The mother of four, Belinda knows the importance of setting 
a good example for her children, Ava Ivis, Gabriela, Alexander, and 
Emily Janet. She does her best to teach them the importance of service 
to the community and love for one's neighbors.
  Recently, Belinda performed an extraordinary act of kindness when she 
donated one of her kidneys to save the life of a fellow Perth Amboy 
resident, Pedro ``Pete'' A. Roman. When she learned that he suffered 
from renal failure, she demonstrated remarkable kindness and 
selflessness by volunteering to be tested as a donor, and eventually 
donating her kidney. Pete received this gift of life on July 13, 2000 
at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, and both 
patients have since recovered and returned to work. It is certain that 
Belinda's exceptional generosity has changed the lives of Pete and his 
family forever.
  For her service to the community of Perth Amboy as well as her 
unparalleled show of compassion and selflessness, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in praising Belinda Cuevas as a truly extraordinary member 
of the community.

                          ____________________