[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOSE PEIXOTO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2014

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, like many who came to our shores, Jose 
Peixoto moved to America in search of opportunities.
  Jose Peixoto was born in the City of Braga, in the northernmost 
region of Portugal. The youngest of five children, Jose learned to 
value honest work and education. He joined the Portuguese Air Force 
when he was 17 years old, serving honorably for 3 years.
  Jose arrived in Yonkers when he was just 23 years old. His wife 
Celeste and his children, Joe Jr. and Aurora, later followed. Today 
Jose is blessed to be the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: 
Sophia, Sabrina, Angelica, Gabriela and Monica.
  Upon settling in Yonkers in 1967, Jose immediately began serving his 
community, quickly becoming a member of the Portuguese-American 
Community Center. Throughout his association with the Community Center, 
Jose has held a diverse range of challenging and important positions, 
but perhaps none more so than guiding the Center through the difficult 
transition period.
  His legacy is literally within the foundations of the Portuguese-
American Community Center. Jose was intricately involved in selling the 
old building, buying the land to build a new Center and leading efforts 
to raise money for its construction. Jose also played an important role 
in developing the Center's by-laws and negotiating its tax-free status. 
It is clear that little would have been achieved without his leadership 
and drive.
  Jose has also been a keen supporter of other programs within the 
community. Jose and Celeste sponsor the Center's Folkloric Group, an 
important link to Portuguese traditions and culture. Jose has also 
served on the Center's Advisory Council and Scholarship Committee, 
along with many other ad hoc committees.
  At every opportunity Jose has sought the opportunity to serve the 
community he cares so deeply for. He is a testament to what can be 
accomplished in the communities around the country when an individual 
puts the interests of others above themselves and works tirelessly for 
the betterment of our society.
  It is clear that the Portuguese-American Community holds Jose Peixoto 
in high regard and I join them in thanking him for his steadfast 
commitment and enduring legacy of service.

                          ____________________