[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          THE 29TH CELEBRATION OF LA PRESENCIA PUERTORRIQUENA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 2010

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, I am honored to stand here before you 
today to commemorate La Presencia Puertorriquena, or the Puerto Rican 
Presence, a celebration in honor of Puerto Rican heritage. On July 29, 
2010, the patrons of Northwest Indiana will come together in East 
Chicago to celebrate, learn, and understand one another's differences 
through festivities of the diverse ethnic heritage. Through the variety 
of Puerto Rican showcases and spotlights, people will learn the 
history, heritage, culture, and much more about the commonwealth.
  La Presencia Puertorriquena, which embarks on its 29th celebration, 
is done in coordination each year with a significant event: Puerto 
Rico's unification to the United States through a commonwealth, which 
occurred on July 25, 1952. Each year, as over 5,000 people flock to 
line the streets of East Chicago, the initiation of Puerto Rico as a 
part of the United States is celebrated. With this celebration, the 
entire history and culture of Puerto Rico is presented to the people of 
Northwest Indiana for a memorable experience.
  In an array of ways, families and folk who attend can share an 
educational and warm Puerto Rican influenced experience. During the 
festivities, Puerto Rican ethnic heritage is put on display. Relics, 
traditional instruments, drawings, paintings, and a variety of other 
items representative of Puerto Rican culture fill the East Chicago 
library. Many talented individuals find themselves performing for these 
festivities through music and dance. Each year, people reminisce about 
native regalia, delectable food, stylistic art, and the notorious 
island coqui, a tiny frog known throughout the island of Puerto Rico 
for its relentless chirping. It is an educational experience the whole 
family can enjoy. People are left with memories and knowledge about the 
culture, heritage, and diverse values of the Puerto Rico.
  For the past twenty-nine years, La Presencia Puertorriquena has 
brought together thousands, including an assortment of local sponsors, 
business and civic leaders, politicians, non-profit organizations, and 
people of a variety of heritages to appreciate the Puerto Rican 
presence in Northwest Indiana and come together.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, let us pay tribute to the Puerto Rican 
people and their influence in the Northwest Indiana area. As we 
celebrate the welcoming of Puerto Rico as a commonwealth, I ask that 
you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Puerto 
Rican contributions and culture in the Northwest Indiana area. Their 
efforts in the community to educate and serve the people are to be 
commended.

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