[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16032-16033]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2013

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following.


     Honoring the Life and Service of Teofilo ``Aaron'' Vargas Sein

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize the life and service of Teofilo ``Aaron'' Vargas Sein, 
Spiritual Leader and President of the church Congregacion Mita, Inc.
  Aaron was born on October 23, 1921 in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. Before 
his birth, his mother, Concepcion Sein, suffered from a difficult 
pregnancy. She promised God that if he would grant her a good delivery 
and a healthy child, she would dedicate him entirely to His service. 
Later, her only son was born, healthy and strong, and she named him 
Teofilo, which means, ``Loved by God.''
  Teofilo and his parents were part of the first group of eleven 
members who alongside Juanita Garcia Peraza ``Mita'' founded the 
Congregacion Mita Church in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He began his Ministry 
at the age of 15 and Mita later changed his name to Aaron. Aaron 
managed the administration of the church's assets and was also the 
first preacher, the senior guard, and the lead percussionist of the 
church's band.
  In 1970, when Juanita Garcia Peraza passed away, Aaron accepted the 
leadership of the Congregation. Under his direction, there has been 
great expansion of Mita's work in Puerto Rico and in the United States, 
including New York, Florida, Texas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, Illinois, and North Carolina. Internationally, the church is 
established in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Colombia, 
Venezuela, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, and Mexico. In 
Florida, there are congregations in Orlando, Ocala, Miami, and Tampa.
  In addition to the spiritual work carried out by Aaron, under his 
leadership, the church carries out many other social missions. Aaron 
founded several institutions and entities to provide assistance to 
members and non-members in every location where the church is 
established, including Orlando, FL. Among them are: the Colegio 
Congregacion Mita, an elementary through high school established in 
Puerto Rico; El Paraiso Nursing Home, a center for seniors who are 
unable to care for themselves; and the Office for Counseling and Social 
Work.
  I am happy to honor Teofilo ``Aaron'' Vargas Sein, during Hispanic 
Heritage Month, for his dedication to the service of others.


             Recognizing the Contributions of Maurice Ferre

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize Maurice Ferre, a great Floridian.
  Maurice A. Ferre was born on June 23, 1935, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He 
was the son of businessman Jose Ferre and the nephew of the legendary 
Luis Ferre, Puerto Rico's Governor and recipient of the Presidential 
Medal of Honor.
  Mr. Ferre served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1967-68 
where he was a strong voice for Hispanics and helped create an ever-
lasting legacy as a pioneer for the middle class. Maurice Ferre is the 
highly regarded former Mayor of Miami, where he was elected to six 
terms serving from 1973-1985. As Mayor, he led Miami through some of 
its most tumultuous and prosperous times. As the first Puerto Rican 
born mayor of a U.S. city and the first Hispanic Mayor of Miami, he 
helped build a world class city and international destination.
  From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Ferre was Vice-Chairman of the Dade County 
Board of Commissioners. He has been active in national political 
campaigns and was a member of several presidential advisory boards.
  Mr. Ferre is currently a Fellow at Princeton University and is 
writing a book about Hispanic contributions to American culture. Mr. 
Ferre is one of the driving forces behind the international-domestic, 
or ``intermestic,'' dialogue, attempting to reach a consensus regarding 
Puerto Rico's political status from an ``international'' as well as 
``domestic'' point of view.
  I am happy to honor Maurice Ferre, during Hispanic Heritage Month, 
for his visionary leadership and his contributions to the state of 
Florida and the United States.


              Recognizing the Contributions of Alex Rivera

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize the important contributions of Alex Rivera, a Walmart worker 
who has made huge sacrifices to help working families in Central 
Florida. Alex Rivera is a 30-year-old former Walmart worker. He is 
married with two children, Leah and Alexa.
  Alex began working for Walmart in Orlando, Florida, on October 28, 
2008. It was only part time, but he was very excited to be working for 
a major company that promised its employees a great future. He began 
working in the grocery department for $7.50 an hour. He was happy the 
first year and learned a lot. His wife also worked at Walmart part time 
as a Customer Service Manager. During his first evaluation he received 
a $.50 cent raise and was eventually offered a full-time position.
  When Walmart began to drastically cut workers' hours, Alex found it 
hard to provide for his family. He picked up a second job at a local 7-
11 and had to work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Walmart and then 9 p.m. to 6 
a.m. at his second job. His increased hours conflicted with his Walmart 
schedule, and his manager told him his Walmart job came first.
  Alex and his wife had to apply for food stamps and Medicaid due to 
the low pay and limited hours offered at Walmart. Alex began searching 
online for other workers that shared these same difficulties. He found 
OUR Walmart and was connected with OUR Walmart leaders. Alex became a 
member of OUR Walmart and participated in an event at his store in July 
2012.
  He began organizing in the store and educating workers on their 
rights. Management spoke to him and told Alex he was not allowed to do 
this. Alex felt he was being harassed for his organizing efforts.
  In September 2012, Walmart fired Alex in retaliation for his 
activism. Since then, Alex continues to stand up for Walmart workers. 
He knows the struggles workers face and wants to ensure that Walmart 
makes the positive changes needed for current and future workers.
  I am happy to honor Alex Rivera, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for 
his sacrifice on behalf of those workers who still struggle for their 
rights.


              Recognizing the Service of the Boriqueneers

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize the 65th Infantry Regiment of the Third Division in the 
United States Army, ``the Boriqueneers.'' This all-volunteer Puerto 
Rican unit was nicknamed ``the Borinqueneers,'' from the name Borinquen 
given to Puerto Rico by its original inhabitants, the Taino Indians.
  Puerto Ricans have fought for the United States as far back as the 
American Revolution. When Puerto Rico became a U.S. Territory after the 
1898 Treaty of Paris, a military governor was appointed and soon the 
United States Army established itself in San Juan. The first body of 
native troops was authorized in 1898 and on June 30, 1901, the Porto 
Rico Provisional Regiment of Infantry was organized.
  After their return from duty in Panama in March 1919, the Porto Rico 
Regiment of Infantry was renamed ``the 65th Infantry Regiment.'' During 
this period, the first Puerto Rican to graduate from the United States 
Military Academy at West Point, Major Luis R. Esteves, was sent to Camp 
Las Casas to train Puerto Rican officers.
  Over 62,000 Puerto Ricans joined the military during World War II, 
and over 43,000 Puerto Ricans served in the Korean War. Perhaps the 
Borinqueneers most noteworthy moment was during the Korean War. In 
August,

[[Page 16033]]

1950, the Boriqueneers landed in the port city of Pusan on the 
southeastern tip of Korea. They were sent into action immediately and 
joined U.S. forces holding a perimeter against the Communist North 
Korean invaders. The Boriqueneers played an active role in the U.S. 
breakout and drive to the north.
  While in Korea, the Borinqueneers served in nine separate military 
campaigns, with hundreds of men giving their lives to serve their 
country. Once back home, the regiment won four Distinguished Service 
Crosses, 125 Silver Stars, and was awarded the Presidential Unit 
Citations and the Greek Gold Medal for Bravery.
  Yet, while the Third Division received a presidential citation, the 
65th Infantry Regiment did not, and none of its members were awarded 
the Medal of Honor. In 2013, two bills have been introduced, in the 
House of Representatives, that would confer the Congressional Gold 
Medal on the 65th Infantry Regiment.
  I am happy to honor the 65th Infantry Regiment, during Hispanic 
Heritage Month, for its historic service to our nation.


   Recognizing the Achievements and Contributions of Roberto Clemente

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage month, to 
recognize Roberto Clemente for his outstanding athletic achievements 
and humanitarian contributions.
  As the first Puerto Rican to achieve baseball stardom, Clemente 
worked hard at the game. In his 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 
``The Great One'' proved to be an all-around outstanding player, 
winning four National League batting titles and leading National League 
outfielders in assists for four seasons. He was awarded 12 Gold Gloves, 
selected as the 1966 National League MVP, and named the 1971 World 
Series MVP. Clemente was also the 11th Major League player to record 
3,000 hits.
  Clemente's accomplishments raised him to stardom, yet he never forgot 
his heritage and the prejudice he had faced. He fought for the 
recognition of his fellow Latino ballplayers, becoming a union leader 
for the baseball players association and speaking out about civil 
injustices. He was also involved in many community outreach programs to 
help inner city kids in Pittsburg, and in the off season, he held free 
baseball clinics for kids in his home town.
  Clemente began managing a Puerto Rican all-star team in Managua, 
Nicaragua. When an earthquake struck, he began organizing aid and 
supplies. He died at the age of 37 in a plane crash delivering relief 
supplies to Nicaragua. Roberto Clemente was posthumously presented the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Roberto Clemente Walker 
Congressional Gold Medal, and the first Presidential Citizen's Medal. 
Each year, Major League Baseball gives out the Roberto Clemente Award 
to a player that demonstrates the humanitarian spirit embodied by 
Roberto Clemente.
  I am happy to honor Roberto Clemente, during Hispanic Heritage Month, 
for his achievements on and off the baseball field.


            Recognizing the Achievements of Sonia Sotomayor

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize the achievements of the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, 
Sonia Sotomayor.
  Justice Sotomayor graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University 
in 1976. While she was at Princeton she received the Pyne Prize, the 
highest academic award given to an undergraduate at the University. She 
continued on to Yale Law School where she was the editor of the Yale 
Law Journal. Sotomayor graduated from Yale Law School in 1979 and 
passed the bar in 1980. She immediately began working as the Assistant 
District Attorney in Manhattan.
  In 1984, Sotomayor entered private practice, making partner in 1988 
at a firm that specialized in intellectual property litigation. While 
working at the firm she also served on the board of the Puerto Rican 
Legal Defense and Education Fund, the New York City Campaign Finance 
Board, and the State of New York Mortgage Agency.
  Her pro bono work at the agencies caught the attention of New York 
Senator Moynihan who recommended her for a seat on the New York 
district court. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush nominated her for a 
seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York 
and she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. In June of 1997, 
President Clinton nominated Sotomayor for a seat on the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for the Second Circuit and she was confirmed to that seat in 
1998. While serving in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Sotomayor 
began teaching as an adjunct professor of law at New York University 
and Columbia Law School, while also serving on the Board of Trustees 
for Princeton University.
  On May 26, 2009, President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor for 
appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her confirmation by the Senate 
in August of 2009 made Sonia Sotomayor the first Latina Supreme Court 
Justice.
  As our country continues to become more diverse, Justice Sotomayor 
serves as a powerful role model for women and Latinos in the U.S. I am 
happy to honor Sonia Sotomayor, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for her 
many outstanding achievements.


       Honoring the Historic Contributions of Juan Ponce de Leon

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize the extraordinary life of Juan Ponce de Leon, Spanish 
explorer, first Governor of Puerto Rico and discoverer of the great 
state of Florida.
  Ponce de Leon grew up in a small provincial town in Spain. Seeking 
adventure, he became a member of Christopher Columbus' second voyage to 
the New World. During that expedition, Ponce de Leon rose quickly in 
prominence and was soon commissioned by the Spanish King as the First 
Governor of the newly discovered Puerto Rico. As Governor, he helped to 
nurture the new and growing island that is now home to so many hard-
working Americans.
  The adventurous spirit of Ponce de Leon did not die with his 
appointment as Governor to Puerto Rico. In 1513 he set out on what was 
to be his most important journey. Traveling with a crew of 200, Ponce 
de Leon arrived at and named Florida on April 2, 1513. As he continued 
his journey, Ponce de Leon became the first European to have extensive 
contact and knowledge of the Floridian peninsula and discovered many of 
the sights and wonders that Floridians treasure to this day. The 
discoveries and numerous accomplishments of Ponce de Leon laid the 
foundation for both my great state of Florida as well as the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  I am pleased to honor Juan Ponce de Leon, during Hispanic Heritage 
Month, for his historic contributions to the state of Florida.


             Recognizing the Accomplishments of Rita Moreno

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the inspiring career and 
numerous accomplishments or Rita Moreno.
  Rita Moreno has broken new ground for Latinos in the field of 
entertainment throughout her career. In 1961, she became the first 
Hispanic actress to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her 
role in the movie West Side Story. Ms. Moreno is also one of only 
eleven entertainers in Hollywood to have received all four major 
entertainment honors: Emmy, Oscar, Tony and Grammy awards.
  In addition to film, stage, television and concert commitments, Ms. 
Moreno fills her spare time by lecturing to various organizations and 
university audiences on such topics as The Value of Diversity to our 
Culture, The Power of Language, and A History of the Arts in Film, TV 
and Theatre. She is also involved with a number of civic and charitable 
organizations.
  Ms. Moreno has served on The National Endowment for the Arts and as a 
Commissioner on The President's Commission on White House Fellowships. 
She has also served as a member of The President's Committee on the 
Arts and Humanities.
  In June 2004, Ms. Moreno was awarded The Presidential Medal of 
Freedom by President George W. Bush. In 2007, Ms. Moreno was inducted 
into the California Hall of Fame by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 
2010, she was awarded The National Medal of Arts by President Obama, as 
well as the Here I Stand Award for activism in the arts, and the 
Hispanic Organization of Latin Actresses (HOLA) Lifetime Achievement 
Award.
  I am happy to honor Rita Moreno, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for 
her numerous contributions to the performing arts.

                          ____________________