[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 985]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. JOE LaMANTIA, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 28, 2008

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Joe LaMantia, 
Jr., on being the recipient of the Golden Eagle Award from the McAllen 
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during the 9th Annual Noche de Gala.
  Joe has shown exemplary leadership in his civic service to the south 
Texas community with his extensive involvement in the Lions' Club, 
American Heart Association, Rio Grande Cancer Treatment Research 
Foundation, South Texas Communities for Youth Service, and the Special 
Olympics. Joe is also the founder and chairman of the preeminent South 
Texas Academic Rising Stars, STARS, organization, which gives 
opportunities to the youth in south Texas in pursuing their dreams of 
higher education. He has made their dreams possible, and it is for this 
reason alone, that he truly deserves the Golden Eagle Award from the 
McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Today, STARS partners with 
hundreds of local and national businesses, organizations, colleges, and 
universities to raise over $12 million in scholarship funds. This is 
truly a hallmark of Joe's success as a businessman, and as a committed 
husband to his wife, Derrelene, father to his seven children, and 
grandfather to his 26 grandchildren. Joe has come a long way from his 
initial start in farming in Carrizo Springs with produce operations in 
Chile and Mexico. The Rio Grande Valley became home for his family, and 
the base of his business, L&F Distributors, which has allowed him to 
deepen his ties to the south Texas community through his philanthropic 
work with STARS.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the 
dedication and commitment of Mr. Joe LaMantia, Jr., and his 
organization, STARS, to the children in communities all across south 
Texas. I thank you for this time.

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