[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20817]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


HONORING AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HISPANIC ADVISORY BOARD, MIAMI BRIDGE 
YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, RABBI KATSOF WITH WORDS CAN HEAL, MIAMI-DADE 
              COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND MATTHEW KRAWCHECK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor several 
organizations and individuals in my congressional district who have 
done an extraordinary job of serving their communities.
  It is my pleasure to recognize the American Cancer Society Hispanic 
Advisory Board, the Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services, Rabbi 
Katsof with Words Can Heal, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and 
last but not least, Matthew Krawcheck, all wonderful examples of the 
organizations and people who display true selflessness and dedication 
to our community.
  Evidence of such altruistic acts is demonstrated by Armando 
Rodriguez, Harold Robaina, Remedios Diaz-Oliver, and Liliam Sanchez-
Martinez who have worked hard for the American Cancer Society Hispanic 
Advisory Board to successfully launch the Mi Vida Cancer Awareness 
Campaign for the Hispanic community for my area in Miami-Dade. The Mi 
Vida campaign promotes early detection by informing the Hispanic 
community of the various Spanish-speaking educational materials and a 
24-hour Spanish toll-free phone numbers. The American Cancer Society's 
continued commitment to the cure for cancer in the Hispanic area serves 
as an inspiration to us all.
  I am also happy to recognize these efforts, just as I am pleased to 
also honor the compassionate efforts of the Miami Bridge Youth and 
Family Services and my good friend Judy Reinach. This great 
organization has provided emergency shelter for the south Florida youth 
for the past 27 years. By keeping its doors open 24 hours per day, 
Miami Bridge provides safe haven for over 1,000 at-risk adolescents 
each year. Its tireless efforts provide a continuum of nonresidential 
and residential services that are designed to empower teenagers and 
turn their lives around.
  Another exceptional group that demonstrates true commitment to the 
improvement of our lives is the Words Can Heal organization. Rabbi 
Katsof and Words Can Heal have dedicated their efforts in reducing 
verbal violence and gossip. At a time when dialogue is so needed in our 
communities, Words Can Heal and Rabbi Katsof have been the motivational 
and organizational force behind educating the public.
  In its short history, Words Can Heal has effectively mobilized its 
efforts to reach an influential and growing audience such as the 
clergy, actors, musicians and elected officials who have all become 
actively involved in the organization's efforts.
  As a former educator, it is also my pleasure to honor another very 
important contributor to the cause of education, the Miami-Dade County 
Public Schools. Through the efforts of John Doyle, Lilian Citarella-
Polit, Charles Murray, Sharon Shelley and Maria Elena Keenan, the 
Miami-Dade Public Schools plans to hold a fantastic competition this 
upcoming December 6.
  The We, the People, The Citizen and the Constitution competition is a 
national contest that encourages civic competence and responsibility 
among our Nation's students. This extraordinary competition, now in its 
15th year, teaches our community's youth the philosophical and 
historical foundations of our great Constitution and our Bill of 
Rights.
  I cannot conclude my statement without also congratulating Matthew 
Krawcheck, a constituent from my congressional district and a grand 
prize winner of the Expressing Freedom arts competition. Matthew's 
awesome painting ``Three Self-Portraits'' was displayed at the awards 
ceremony in the Rayburn foyer recently.
  Expressing Freedom is a contest for young artists with disabilities 
between the ages of 16 and 25 that is supported by VSA Arts and 
Volkswagen of America. I would like to send special thanks to Soula 
Antoniou from VSA Arts and Joseph Kennebeck from Volkswagen of America 
for their commitment to America's disabled people.
  I wish to give my sincerest congratulations to Matthew and all of the 
young people who participated in this competition.
  Mr. Speaker, it is such a pleasure tonight for me to commend these 
individuals for they are shining examples of what this country is all 
about, and they are an inspiration to us all.

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