[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4676]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF MIGUEL RIVERA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 2004

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Miguel Rivera for 
his years of outstanding work and service with Verizon Communications. 
Mr. Rivera will be honored by the Friends of Mike Rivera Committee for 
35 years of dedicated service to Verizon Communications and the 
Hispanic Community at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2004, at the Hyatt 
Regency Hotel in North Brunswick, New Jersey.
  Mr. Rivera is retiring from Verizon Communications after 35 years of 
service. Mr. Rivera started his career with Verizon as Facilities 
Engineer from 1968 to 1972. He also held the position of Systems 
Equipment Engineer from 1972 to 1977. From 1977 to his retirement, Mr. 
Rivera was Director of External Affairs, serving as the face of Verizon 
Communications to local government, consumer relations, and Hispanic 
relations in New Jersey.
  As Director of External Affairs, Mr. Rivera was able to dedicate a 
great deal of time and resources to the enhancement of the Hispanic 
community in New Jersey. Serving as Corporate Representative of Verizon 
Communications with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the 
Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Rivera was able to bring 
increased prosperity to Hispanics throughout the state by forming new 
partnerships with Latin America, bringing products and jobs back to New 
Jersey, and creating further economic development and business 
opportunities throughout our region.
  Mr. Rivera currently is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of 
Community United for the Rehabilitation of the Addict, Inc. (CURA), 
Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Puerto Rican Action Board, 
and Trustee for New Brunswick Tomorrow. Mr. Rivera's vast community 
activities are an example of his wide variety of concerns for his 
community, while showing his dedication and desire to improve his 
community through action.
  Mr. Rivera received his bachelor's degree from the University of 
Puerto Rico. Mr. Rivera is a loving husband to his wife, Nina Rivera.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Miguel Rivera for 
his 35 years of distinguished service, outstanding leadership, and 
devotion to Verizon Communications and the Hispanic community.

                          ____________________