20 de Mayo Celebrations continue in Union City!

Former Political Prisoners from Castro’s Communist regime were recognized tonight in Union City along with Cuban-American educators in a moving ceremony at the José Martí Middle School.

State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack recognized Cuban-American educators and former political prisoners from the Cuban exile community were acknowledged by the UC Mayor and his commissioners among a crowd of more than a thousand Cuban Americans tonight.

Cuban American women were also present in tonight’s ceremony. Union City Assistant Superintendent of Schools and asset to all the children of our community Sylvia Abbato, UC Board of Education Vice President and UC Parking Authority Director Alicia Morejón, the very popular and beloved by the people of West New York New Jersey State Assemblywoman Caridad Rodríguez, and Adriana Birnez, Director of the Jose Maria de Hostos Childcare Center, are among the women who make our community proud in this small city where we learn and prosper as a community. These ladies represent the best of our community; their success makes all freedom-loving Cubans proud. They are a true testament to their parents’ legacy of hard work, values and commitment.

Brian Stack: More than a Friend of the Cuban people: One of Us!

“I never forget how hard the Cuban community worked in this city, how much they built, how grateful they are to the opportunity freedom offered. You’ll always have my support! The day Cuba is finally free from the Castros’ Communist dictatorship we’ll have a huge party in this city where you give and gave so much. You are grateful because this country opened its doors. This great country is grateful for your contributions, for your love for freedom, for the values and the effort you have brought in your restless love for freedom,” said Brian P. Stack to more than a thousand Cubans who stood up to applaud Union City’s own favorite son, who is always there for the Cuban community, and has been there since he started his public life at age 15. Brian worked tirelessly for the Cuban community before, during and after the Mariel boat lift. He has never let us down.

Cuban-American Musical Commissioner loved by all, Lucio Fernandez, speaks to the crowd on tonight’s ceremony.

Cuban-American commissioner, Chris Irizarry, a personal friend, and a great public servant, addresses the more than one thousand Cubans who crowded José Martí School tonight, May 20 2008.

Teresita Díaz, Vice Principal of the Jose Marti Middle School and a proud Cuban-American was the event’s MC for the night.

On behalf of the Cuban-American educators honored tonight with a State Senate Citation we thank State Senator Brian P. Stack for the recognition.

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