[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15419-15420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING ALFALIT INTERNATIONAL AND DR. PHILLIP FROST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Tonko). The Chair recognizes the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary efforts and continuing success of Alfalit International 
in the fight against global illiteracy.
  Founded in 1961 and headquartered in my hometown in Miami, Florida, 
Alfalit International has helped over 7 million adults and children 
learn to read and write. Currently, Alfalit serves people in 25 
different countries around the world, with literacy programs in 
English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Creole.
  The basic ability to read and write is the gateway to education and 
training, to higher earnings, and to a more productive life. With 
Alfalit's help, millions of people in countries worldwide are able to 
break the cycle of poverty, make better lives for themselves and their 
children, and play a larger role in their local and regional economies.
  Moreover, basic literacy skills also help people to better understand 
the rights they have and the rights that they have been denied, and it 
empowers people to participate in the local and national political 
process.
  Alfalit's approach involves teaching the basic skills and education 
that people need to become independent and productive members of 
societies.
  Alfalit's approach is an efficient and cost-effective method that 
needs only $60 and 10 months to teach a completely illiterate adult to 
read and write at a fourth-grade level. I am certain that much of the 
reason for this low-cost approach to basic education lies in the fact 
that the majority of Alfalit teachers are compassionate and supportive 
volunteers.
  As a former educator and Florida certified teacher, I recognize the 
difficulties that Alfalit faces in helping those

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most in need. I commend its many volunteers, and encourage them to 
continue with their badly needed efforts.
  Alfalit's tremendous success over the past 50 years is a great 
inspiration, and I hope to hear more about its great work in the 
future. I wish them also much success to Alfalit for its upcoming 
dinner in Miami, Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to spotlight the contributions of Dr. 
Phillip Frost to our South Florida community. A physician, a 
businessman, a philanthropist, Phillip Frost has been a long-time 
supporter of the arts and education. His work with the Smithsonian 
Institute has helped keep the institution vibrant and growing.
  Phillip's passion for music led him to make generous contributions to 
the University of Miami's school of music and to the Florida 
International University art museum.
  His philanthropy has helped fund much needed medical research. As a 
trustee at the Scripps Research Institute, he has helped one of the 
world's largest independent, nonprofit biomedical research 
organizations. Phillip Frost's lasting legacy will certainly be to 
inspire others to match his selflessness and generosity.
  Thank you, Dr. Frost, for your service and for your humanitarian 
outreach. You are an inspiration and an example to our entire 
community. Much success for your upcoming event for the American 
Friends of the Hebrew University in Miami, Florida.

                          ____________________