[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21217]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO MR. GILBERTO MELENDEZ, IN MEMORIAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 21, 2002

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call the attention of my 
colleagues to a distinguished gentleman who resided in the 6th District 
of New Jersey. It is with great respect that I pay tribute to Mr. 
Gilberto Melendez, who is being honored, In Memoriam, by the Latino 
American Committee of Monmouth County.
  Mr. Gilberto Melendez was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on November 1, 
1943. He and his family moved to the United States in 1944. His mother, 
Benardina R. Melendez, worked as a bookkeeper for the newly founded 
ASPIRA in New York. He lived in New York until he moved to Neptune in 
1968.
  In 1973, Mr. Melendez was elected to the Neptune Township Committee 
and served two, three-year terms. In 1977, he was hired by Monmouth 
County as Secretary to the County Tax Board, a position that was later 
changed to County Tax Administrator. In 1979, he served as mayor of 
Neptune and served on the Planning Board. In March 1991, he was 
reappointed to the Planning Board of Neptune to serve a two-year term.
  Additionally, Mr. Melendez was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the 
Liberty Fire Department in Neptune as well as the Puerto Rican Civic 
Association. Gilberto Melendez was a pioneer in the field of politics. 
He was recognized by County leaders and served as Mayor of Neptune at a 
time when very few Latinos were active in politics. He is remembered as 
a tax expert and a fair man who often spoke up on behalf of the average 
taxpayer.
  Gil, as his sister, Elba Figueroa, called him describes him as, ``A 
wonderful brother, always there when he was needed and just as caring 
as an older brother could possibly be. His sense of humor is what we 
most remember about him. Our parents brought us up with much love for 
each other and to love God because without Him we were nothing.''
  Stories of Mr. Melendez's popularity and compassion were legendary in 
the county. Friends would say that everywhere he went he knew somebody 
and everyone loved him.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere hope that my colleagues will join me in 
paying tribute to Mr. Melendez, as the Latino American Committee of 
Monmouth County honors him, In Memoriam, for his unwavering dedication 
and commitment to the advancement of Latinos.

                          ____________________