[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1334-E1336] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] 2005 ELLIS ISLAND MEDALS OF HONOR AWARDS CEREMONY ______ HON. DAN BURTON of indiana in the house of representatives Thursday, June 23, 2005 Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor the 2005 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients. Presented annually by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO)--an umbrella group of more than 250 organizations that spans the spectrum of ethnic heritages, cultures and religions--the Ellis Island Medal of Honor commemorates and recognizes Americans of all ethnic backgrounds who have made significant contributions to our society. These medals have been aptly named for Ellis Island, as in so many ways Ellis Island is an enduring symbol of the immigrant roots and diversity that characterize our great Nation. America has always been a haven for legal immigrants from all over the world who come to our shores with one simple dream; forging a new life in a land of opportunity, liberty, and freedom--freedom from religious, economic, political or ethnic persecution. When the immigrant station at Ellis Island, New York, opened on January 1, 1892, it admitted 700 immigrants into the United States on just its first day of operation. By the time the center closed in 1954, 17-million immigrants had passed through its doors. The Ellis Island administration and staff, on average, processed up to 5,009 people per day. Many of these [[Page E1335]] newcomers spoke little English, hardly had any money, and arrived with only the clothes on their backs. Despite those challenges, all were willing to risk their lives in exchange for the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their families. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was created in 1986 to honor those individuals who--through their own perseverance, sacrifice and success--continue to help keep America at the forefront of science, business, sports, entertainment, health care research, and myriad of other important issues. Representing a rainbow of ethnic backgrounds the 2005 recipients received their awards on May 14, 2005, in the shadow of the historic Great Hall, where the first footsteps towards a new life were taken by the millions of immigrants who entered the U.S. in the latter part of the nineteenth century. NECO Co-chairman Lee Iacocca, paying tribute to NECO's Founder and Chairman, William Denis Fugazy, said: ``Bill's most enduring legacy is the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. He has been the driving force behind NECO since its inception. Under the NECO banner he has led the fight against intolerance and hate, and brought together disparate groups to work together and to celebrate the gifts that each ethnic group brings to keep America the land of freedom and opportunity for all. His life is testament to what one person with a big heart and boundless energy can accomplish.'' Nasser J. Kazeminy, Chairman of NECO's Executive Committee, said that the 2005 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients have enriched this country and have become role models for future generations. He noted that a posthumous Medal was given to Sergeant Christian P. Engeldrum, U.S. Army National Guard, who was killed in Iraq last November. Engeldrum, he said, was a heroic New York City firefighter, and also served in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm. He was the first New York City employee to be killed in Iraq. His third child, a daughter, was born in June 2005. Since 1986, approximately 1,700 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor, which continue to pay tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America's unique cultural mosaic. In addition, NECO awards one International Ellis Island Medal of Honor each year. This year's international honoree was Richard Platt, Chairman of Visy Industries, Australia. Mr. Speaker, the 2005 Ellis Island recipients are without doubt a remarkable collection of individuals who have distinguished themselves as outstanding human beings and citizens of the United States. By honoring these outstanding individuals, we honor all who share their origins and we acknowledge the contributions they and other groups have made to America. I once again commend NECO and its Chairman, my good friend William Denis Fugazy, for honoring the accomplishments of these outstanding individuals and their tireless efforts to foster dialogue, build bridges between different ethnic groups, and promote unity and a sense of common purpose in our Nation. I respectfully ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the good works of NECO, and congratulating all the 2005 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients, and I would ask that the names of all of this year's recipients be placed into the Congressional Record following my statement. 2005 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients Abu S. Alam M.D. P.A., Bangladesh; George Atanasoski, Vice President, Microflex, Inc., Macedonian; Nishan Atinizian, President, Fresh Pond Mall Ltd Partnership, Armenian; Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Counsel & Sr. Advisor Global Strategies, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Irish; Avi Barbasch M.D., New York Oncology, Czech/Polish/Israeli; Joseph L. Basralian Esq., Managing Partner, Winne, Banta, Hetherington, Basralian & Kahn P.C, Armenian; Paul P. Bernstein, Board Member, Seeds of Peace, Russian; Nicholas A. Buoniconti, Founder, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Italian; Terry Burman, Chairman & CEO, Sterling Jewelers, Inc., Russian/Polish; Hon. Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Chinese; Dr. James S.C. Chao, Chairman, Foremost Group, Chinese; Yeoung Bae Choi, Chairman, The Korean American Association of Flushing, Korean; Dr. Parveen Chopra, Chairperson, Comm. Of Human Rights--Nassau County NY, Asian Indian; Joseph A. Cimino M.D., Professor & Chairman, Community & Preventive Medicine, Italian; Vahakn N. Dadrian, Director of Research, Zoryan Institute, Armenian; Thomas E. Dreesen, Comedian, Italian/Irish; Victor J. Dzau, MD, Chancellor for Health Affairs, Duke University Medical Center, Chinese/Canadian; I. Steven Edelson, Managing Member, Mercantile, Russian/Polish; Christian Engeldrum (Posthumously), Sgt US Army, NYC Firefighter/Ladder 61; Andrew Evangelatos, Attorney at Law, Hellenic; Dr. Haifa Fakhouri, President & CEO, Arab American & Chaldean Council, Jordanian; Stefan J. Fedor, Service Delivery Executive, Cisco Systems, Inc., Czech/Hungarian; Anthony C. Ferreri, President & CEO, Staten Island University Hospital, Italian; Dr. Homayoun Firouztash, Partner, Centurion Holdings, LLC, Iranian; John W. Galanis, Esq., Chairman, Galanis, Pollack, Jacobs & Johnson, Hellenic; Judge John Gale, State of Florida, Italian; Robert C. Gallo, M.D., Director, Institute of Human Virology, Italian; Rickey M. Gelb, President, Gelb Enterprises, Austrian/Russian; Lola Nashashibi Grace, Philanthropist, Lebanese/Palestinian; Edgar Hagopian, Chairman, Hagopian Family of Companies, Armenian; Alexander W. Harris, CTC, Chairman, General Tours, Inc., Polish; Jay Hershenson, Vice Chancellor, CUNY, Polish; Wilhelmina Holliday, Commissioner (Ret), NYPD-MVPD, African American; Soung Eun Hong, President/CEO, Rainer Group of Atlantic, USA, Korean; Richard C. Iannuzzi, Vice President, NYSUT, Italian; Muta M. Issa, MD, MBA, Assoc. Prof./Chief of Urology, Emory Univ School of Med/Atlanta; VA Med Ctr, Iraqi; BG Jimmie C. Jackson, Jr., Cmdr 305th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, Irish/Mexican; Eppaminondas G. Johnson, Founder, Eppie's Race, Director Univ of Nevada-Reno Foundation, Hellenic; Ranya Caren Kelly, Founder/Exec. Director, The Redistribution Center Inc., English/German; Cecile Keshishian, President (Ret), NH Medical Society Auxiliary, Lebanese; Won Ho Kim, President, Warner, Inc., So. Korean; Yohyun Kim, President, Ace Printing & Publishing, Korean; Theodore A. Laliotis, President, Laliotis & Associates, Hellenic; Dr. Henry C. Lee, Chief Emeritus, CT Forensic Science Laboratory, Chinese; Susan Levit M.D., F.A.C.P., President & Medical Director, Levit Medical Arts Pavilion, Russian/Israeli; Boris Lipkin, President & CEO, Therma-Wave, Ukrainian; Joseph Macnow, Executive VP & CFO, Vornado Realty Trust, Russian/Polish; LTG Robert Magnus, Deputy Commandant, US Marine Corps, English/Polish; Ranjan Manoranjan, Chairman & CFO, 3SG Corporation, Sri Lanka; Aris Mardirossian, President, Technology Patents LLC, Armenian; Penny Marshall, Director & Producer, Italian/German/Welsh; Bonnie McElveen- Hunter, Former Ambassador, Chairman, Board of Gov. / American Red Cross, President, Pace Communications, Scottish/Irish; Aaron David Miller, President, Seeds of Peace, Russian/ Polish; Benjamin E. Montoya, CEO, Smart Systems Technologies, Inc., Mexican; Edward D. Mullins, President, NYPD Sergeants Benevelent Association, Irish/Spanish; John V. Murphy, Chairman President & CEO, Oppenheimer Funds Inc., Irish; Francesco Musorrafiti, Chairman & CEO, Engineering & Professional Serv. Inc, Italian; Firouz M. Naderi, Associate Director, Programs, Project Formulation & Strategy, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Iranian; John S. Najarian, MD, Professor of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Armenian; John M. Nasseff, Community Leader & Philanthropist, Lebanese; Maria Neira, Vice President, NYSUT, Puerto Rican; Peter Nikiteas, Community Leader, Hellenic; James J. O'Connor, Chairman & CEO (Ret), UNICOM Corp & Commonwealth Edison, Irish; Michael D. O'Halleran, Chairman & CEO, Aon Corporation, Irish; Harris J. Pappas, President, Pappas Restaurant, Inc., Hellenic; Sudhir Parikh M.D., Center for Asthma and Allergies, Asian Indian; Peter P. Parthenis, CEO, Grecian Delight Foods, Inc., Hellenic; Martin R. Pollner, Senior Partner, Loeb & Loeb LLP, Polish/Hungarian; Rev. Peter A. Popaj, Our Lady of Shkodra RC Church, Albanian; Richard Pratt, AC, International Recipient, President, Visey Communications, Polish; Kassandra L. Romas, Managing Director, Bouras Properties, LLC, Hellenic; Joseph R. Rosetti, President, Safir Rosetti, Italian; BG Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Commandant, US Military Academy at West Point, Italian; Stephen M. Schuck, Chairman, The Schuck Corp., Russian/German; H.R. Shah, Chairman & CEO, TV Asia & Krauszer's, Asian Indian; M. Morris Shirazipour, CEO, Aero Toy Store, Israeli/Iranian/Canadian; Barbara Simmons, Department of Veterans Affairs, African American; Barry Ivan Slotnick, Attorney at Law, Buchanan Ingersoll PC, Polish; Edward M. Snider, Chairman, Comcast-Spectacar, Russian/Polish; Mona So, Chairperson, Chinese Import Association of America, Chinese; Mercedes H. Spotts, Esq., Polish; Thomas Stankovich, Senior VP & CFO, MP Biomedicals, Yugoslavian; John L. Starks, Founder & President, The John Starks Foundation, American Indian; Gwynn T. Swinson, Secretary of Administration, NC Dept. of Administration, African/Caribbean/European; Abdul Jamil Tajik, M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases & Internal Medicine-- Mayo Clinic, Pakistani; Meilin Tan, Founder & President, Small Business Owners of Greater New York, Chinese; James Thomas, President & CPA, Thomas Auto Motor Group, Hellenic; George Tomov, President, Folk Dance Foundation, Macedonian Arts Council, Macedonian; Angelo Vivolo, Community Leader, Italian; Dionysios Vlachos, President, Allboro Waterproofing Corp., Hellenic; Frank Volpicella, Vice President, United Federation of Teachers, Italian; Robert Weisberg, Deputy Chief of Mission, American Embassy Helsinki, Russian/Rumanian/ Austrian; Thomas V. Whelan, Chairman &CEO, Concepts International, Irish; Capt. Glenn A. Wiltshire, Cmdr. of Coast Guard Activities NY, United States Coast Guard, English/Polish; James B. Zafiros, Vice President (Ret), NBC Televsion, Hellenic/Turkish; Larry A. [[Page E1336]] Zavadil, President & CEO, American Solutions For Business, Czech/German. ____________________