MIAMI, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued today by Lincoln-Marti Schools:
Demetrio Perez, Jr., President of the Lincoln-Marti Schools, which young Elian Gonzalez is currently attending, will speak at a luncheon in Newark, New Jersey, on January 23 to commemorate the anniversary of Cuban patriot Jose Marti's birth.
Mr. Perez, Jr. is a former Commissioner and Vice-Mayor of the City of Miami and is currently a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board. In addition to being deeply committed to the ideal of a free and democratic Cuba, Demetrio Perez, Jr. is also devoted to educating our future generations,
which is reflected in his motto: "Educate children so that you will not punish adults."
When he first learned of the harrowing journey endured by Elian, Demetrio, who himself was forcibly separated from his parents by the Castro regime in the 1960s, felt compelled to offer his assistance to the family.
Given the importance that Perez, Jr. feels education plays in a youngster's life, he immediately offered the family his support to provide Elian with a free education through high school.
The case of Elian Gonzalez is most certainly a sad one. However, it serves as a shining example of the Castro tyranny's disregard for families and children through its coercive and oppressive tactics that serve only to drive people apart. This is exactly what Jose Marti valiantly fought for
when he sought to achieve independence for Cuba.
Today, Marti's legacy lives on and is perpetuated by acts of remembrance, such as this event, that serve to remind everyone of his courage and commitment to a free and independent Cuba.
The luncheon will take place at the Holiday Inn North, 160 Frontage Road, Newark, New Jersey at 1:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Demetrio J. Perez at (305) 439-6809.
SOURCE Lincoln-Marti Schools
CO: Lincoln-Marti Schools
ST: Florida, New Jersey
IN: EDU
SU:
01/20/2000 07:57 EST http://www.prnewswire.com |