[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11439]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE 2008 HISPANIC HERITAGE YOUTH AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2008

  Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2008 
Hispanic Heritage Youth Award Recipients. This award has grown into the 
most prestigious Hispanic honor and event for Latino youth in the 
United States.
  Since 1998 the Hispanic Heritage Foundation has been celebrating 
Hispanic pride, culture, and accomplishment in the community and in 
classrooms throughout the United States.
  Latinos are our Nation's largest minority and the Hispanic Heritage 
Foundation works to make sure that our Nation's Latino youth are 
prepared for the challenges to come. Through leadership, cultural, 
educational, and work programs, these future role models are 
identified, inspired, and instilled with the knowledge and experience 
to succeed.
  Over 1,500 students have been awarded more than three million dollars 
in educational grants through the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards. There 
are seven categories for these students to demonstrate their ability to 
excel in their areas of focus, with three finalists in each category 
from the Chicago area.
  I am proud to recognize two winners from the Fifth Congressional 
District, Thalia Urbina and Estefanie Garcia. Thalia Urbina from East 
Lyden High School has earned a gold medallion for her commitment to 
education and Estefanie Garcia from Notre Dame High School for Girls 
has earned a bronze medallion for her excellence in journalism. These 
winners of the 2008 Hispanic Heritage Youth Award are part of the best 
and brightest in the Chicago Region.
  This year's Chicago Regional award recipients will be honored with a 
special ceremony hosted by local businesses and community leaders to 
pay tribute to their accomplishments at the University of Chicago 
tonight.
  Madam Speaker, Thalia and Estefanie have earned tonight's honors 
through hard work and dedication. I am proud to serve as their 
representative in Congress, and I wish them the best of luck tonight 
and in all of their future endeavors.

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