[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13001]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF JOSE L. LASTRA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 15, 2002

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jose L. Lastra, 
a man who has served with distinction in the Social Security 
Administration in South Florida for 30 years.
  Born in Cardenas, Cuba in 1948, Jose Lastra arrived in the United 
States on September 28th, 1961, speaking no English and carrying with 
him nothing but a strong work ethic and determination. Graduating from 
Miami Edison High School in 1966, Jose continued his education, earning 
a degree in History with a minor in Political Science from Florida 
Atlantic University, with post-graduate studies at the University of 
Miami School of Hispanic American Studies and Florida International 
University's School of Public Administration.
  Mr. Lastra entered public service on July 17, 1972, when he was hired 
for the position of Service Representative in the Miami Beach Social 
Security Office. This month marks his 30th anniversary with the Social 
Security Administration. Over the last three decades, Jose has served 
with distinction in a number of positions in the South Florida Area, 
including: service, claims and field representative, Hispanic Program 
Officer, and manager of the Cuban-Haitian Emergency Processing Office 
and the Riverside Branch Office. In recognition of his outstanding 
work, Jose was awarded the Commissioner's Citation in 1980, 1991, and 
1992, and the Commissioner's Team Award in 1997.
  In 1990, Mr. Lastra was appointed Area Director of South Florida. In 
this capacity, he oversees thirty-three Social Security field offices 
with a total staff of 978 employees. The South Florida Area includes 
more than 2 million Social Security beneficiaries, many of whom reside 
in my district. As Chairman of the House Social Security Subcommittee, 
I am especially grateful for all of Mr. Lastra's hard work on behalf of 
my senior constituents.
  Today, I am pleased to recognize a man who has taken full advantage 
of what America offers. Coming to this country as a young immigrant 
from Cuba, he studied hard, worked tirelessly and rose from an entry 
level position to one of leadership in the Social Security 
Administration. A true sign of his character, Jose is held in the 
highest regard by those who work with him and for him. Jose L. Lastra's 
life and achievements represent the dream of opportunity that America 
so proudly boasts.

                          ____________________