[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15163-15164]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE REVEREND ABRAHAM MARSACH ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 12, 2004

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
join the many family, friends, and community members who have gathered 
to celebrate the life and legacy of one of our most outstanding 
leaders, and my dear friend--Reverend Abraham Marsach--as he celebrates 
his retirement. However, I am quite sure that his retirement does not 
mean the end of his advocacy and activism.
  As we have seen across the nation, the Hispanic community in New 
Haven has grown and flourished over the last several decades.

[[Page 15164]]

As it has grown so has its demands for strong, vocal advocates willing 
to stand and fight for the needs of its members. Reverend Marsach has 
been just this kind of advocate--a passionate, active leader who has 
made a real difference in the lives of many. It is not often that you 
find such dedicated individuals who commit themselves so fully to the 
betterment of their community.
  As both a community and spiritual leader, Reverend Marsach has 
touched the lives of thousands in New Haven. In his role as President 
of the Asociacion Ministerial Evangelica Hispana de New Haven he helped 
to unite religious leaders across the community and worked with 
municipal leaders to effect change in the community. The founder of 
Junta for Progressive Action, he created a social service agency which 
has helped thousands in New Haven's Hispanic community access the 
programs and services they need to improve their quality of life. 
Mentor, leader, advocate, and friend--Reverend Marsach is a true 
community treasure.
  Reverend Marsach has been a fixture in our community for many years 
and we owe him a great debt of gratitude for the multitude of 
contributions he has made that have enriched all of our lives. As a 
spiritual guide at the Star of Jacob Christian Church in New Haven, he 
has nourished the souls of many--often providing much needed comfort in 
the hardest of personal trials. I would be remiss if I did not 
personally thank him for the wonderful tribute that he made to Maria 
Perez--a member of my staff who passed away just over two years ago. He 
shared a unique friendship with Maria and his words were of great 
comfort to her family and my staff during a most difficult time.
  Through his hard work and unparalleled dedication, Reverend Marsach 
has left an indelible mark on the New Haven community and a legacy that 
will inspire generations to come. For his innumerable contributions and 
selfless dedication, I am proud to stand today to extend my deepest 
thanks and sincerest appreciation. It gives me great pleasure to join 
his wife, Margarita, his three daughters, family, friends, and the New 
Haven community in congratulating Reverend Abraham Marsach as he 
celebrates his retirement. My very best wishes for many more years of 
health and happiness.

                          ____________________