[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9433]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 9433]]

             IN HONOR OF THE ELIZABETH WATERFRONT FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2000

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Elizabeth 
Waterfront Festival, an annual event celebrating the diversity of this 
great country by bringing together Hispanic families from Cuba, 
Colombia, Honduras, Peru, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, 
and Mexico.
  The festival will take place in Elizabeth, New Jersey on May 27, 28, 
and 29. The expected 450,000 visitors to the festival will enjoy three 
days of games, rides, crafts, and traditional Latin music and food.
  The Waterfront Festival celebrates the history, culture, and arts of 
the area's Hispanic community, while also providing access to some of 
Elizabeth's fine resources. The waterfront is an exceptional feature of 
the city and a perfect place to hold a festival honoring Hispanic 
heritage.
  In addition to celebrating the heritage of other nations, this 
festival celebrates America's heritage by acknowledging the 
contributions that made our country great--we are a nation of nations, 
and this festival is a fine example of why America's collective soul 
lives on in prosperous fashion--with this celebration, we honor our 
past and embrace our future.
  This celebration would not have been possible without the sponsorship 
and support of the City of Elizabeth, Melly Mell Productions, Inc., and 
the Elizabeth Cubanos Lions Club. For their kind support, I extend my 
sincerest gratitude.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this wonderful festival, 
and ask that we honor America's rich diversity.

                          ____________________