Speech #1090047952

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 religionsthe 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 freedomfreedom 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 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS. Vol. 151. Pt. 10 day of operation. By the time the center closed in 1954. 17million 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 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 whothrough 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 ot immigrants who entered the U.S. in the latter part of the nineteenth century. NECO Cochairman Lee lacocca. paying tribute to NECOs Founder and Chairman. William Denis Fugazy. said: "Bills most enduring legacy is the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and the Ellis Island Medals of Honor.