HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2004

·  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to name Westbury Language Center in Westbury, New York, as February Small Business of the Month in the Fourth Congressional District of New York.

·  Many in our community know that small businesses are the backbone of Long Island's economic well-being. As the national economy continues to struggle, the energy, flexibility and innovation of our local small businesses have become essential. It is time to spotlight some of these businesses extraordinary achievements and contributions.

·  Westbury Language Center is a successful small business and an exceptional jewel to the Latino community in Long Island. Described as a cultural center for the community to study and appreciate the Spanish language, the Westbury Language Center has a reputation for providing all kinds of services related to the Spanish language and the Latino culture for children and adults. Latinos are the largest minority group in the United States and I am excited to celebrate and embrace the contributions that they have brought to our community and Long Island.

·  Maria Isabel Martinez, founder of Westbury Language Center, sold her home and used her retirement funds to realize her dreams of constructing a business that would serve the public and its needs. Three years later, Westbury Language Center not only offers courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) and teaches the Latino culture, including folkloric dances to children and adults, but it also provides instructional computer classes to Latino workers that are interested in learning a science that will ensure them a better job and a better quality of life.

·  Furthermore, pleasing the demands of the community, Maria plans to hold the Westbury Language Center's first workshop, ``Now to Start, Develop and Administer Your Own Business'' sometime this year.