[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2743]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 IN RECOGNITION OF FELIPE REINOSO, HONOREE OF NOSOTROS MAGAZINE'S 33RD 
                     ANNIVERSARY GALA AWARD BANQUET

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Felipe Reinoso, who will 
be honored at the 33rd Anniversary Gala Award Banquet of Nosotros 
Magazine on Saturday, February 21, 2001. The Banquet is an annual event 
that honors distinguished Hispanic leaders for their important 
contributions to society. This is an opportune time for today's 
Hispanic leaders to reflect on the economic, political, and cultural 
contributions that Hispanics have made to American society.
  In 1984, Felipe Reinoso received his Bachelor's Degree in Spanish 
Education from Sacred Heart University and his Master's Degree in 
Bilingual Special Education from Fairfield University in 1987. Before 
co-founding the Bridge Academy High School in 1998, where he was 
Principal, he taught bilingual Social Studies at Warren Harding High 
School for 14 years.
  For his excellence in bilingual education, Mr. Reinoso has received 
numerous awards and honors, including a citation from the Connecticut 
General Assembly for Excelling in Education; Teacher of the Year, 
Warren Harding H.S.; Connecticut Bilingual Teacher of the Year; an 
Award for Outstanding Achievement as Bilingual Teacher from Hispanic 
Society, Inc.; and the National Education Association Human Civil 
Rights Award. In addition, he has received the Points of Light 
Foundation President's Service Award from President Clinton.
  On November 7, 2000, Felipe Reinoso became the first Peruvian-
American in United States history to be elected as a legislator. Today, 
he proudly represents the 130th District of Bridgeport, Connecticut. 
Mr. Reinoso's victory resonates with historic significance, and gives a 
greater voice to the concerns of the Hispanic community.
  In honoring Felipe Reinoso, Nosotros Magazine is promoting the most 
important values in American society today: hard work, dedication, and 
compassion. Mr. Reinoso embodies these American ideals; and, throughout 
his career, he has worked tirelessly to provide others with the 
opportunity to meet the standard of excellence he has set. As an 
educator, he has worked hard to empower Hispanic Americans, and I am 
confident that he will continue his valuable service to the Hispanic 
community as State Representative.
  Because of community leaders like Mr. Reinoso, the Hispanic community 
is not only experiencing economic empowerment, but also political 
strength. Today, we prepare for a future that reflects our years of 
hard work, and our commitment to each other.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Felipe Reinoso 
for his many contributions to the Hispanic community and to the State 
of Connecticut.

                          ____________________