[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22082]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      HONORING COMMUNITY VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and give thanks to 
Latino veterans across the nation and in New York's 12th District--
those brave soldiers who served in our Armed Forces during times of 
turmoil and crisis in our Nation's history.
  Today, the Borinquen Senior Center celebrates another anniversary--
close to the landmark one of a quarter of a century. Since its doors 
opened 24 years ago, the center has been a safehaven for hundreds of 
seniors and veterans in the Williamsburg, New York community. The 
Borinquen Center serves three meals per day to almost two hundred 
seniors, including veterans. It provides meals on wheels for homebound 
seniors, offers workshops on healthcare and other important issues, 
arranges activities, and provides classes such as ESL (English as a 
Second Language). Through its work, the center plays a very important 
role in the community. And as the Borinquen Center celebrates its 
anniversary, it will also honor--for the first time--the veterans of 
this country who served so bravely in our Armed Services.
  Given the war against terrorism our great Nation is now waging both 
here and overseas, I believe we must take time to honor and give thanks 
to a few of our Nation's Latino veterans from the 12th District. Many 
of these men were young men, unaware of how war would change them when 
they enlisted in the Armed Forces during World War II, the Korean War, 
and the Vietnam War. They Joined the service with hopes of 
strengthening our nation's security, fighting for the ideals of 
democracy and freedom, and ensuring a more peaceful world. Although 
many returned home with lasting wounds, their spirit was never broken. 
It is important that we remember on this Veteran's Day the sacrifices 
they made for this country.
  Therefore, it is with much appreciation that I honor the Latino 
veterans of my district in celebration of November 11: Luis Maldonado, 
1940-1946; Angel Acevedo, 1941-1947; Jose La Fuente, 1942-1945; 
Herminio Rivera, 1942-1947; George Feliciano, 1947-1967; Jose Calderon, 
1951-1954; Oscar Figueroa, 1951-1954; Gilberto Bonilla, 1952-1954; 
Isamel A. Torres, 1952-1956; Francisco Adames, 1953-1955; Fexlix 
Gonzalez, 1953-1957; Jose Rendon, 1953--1961; Fundadon V. Cancel, 1954-
1958; Gerardo Torres, 1954-1959; George A. Maldonado, 1954-1956; Carlos 
M. Colon, 1956-1958; Augustin Perez, 1957-1959; Adolfo Rivera, 1960-
1962.

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