[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DIANE MEDINA'S ``COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AWARD''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 14, 1998

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a 
leading Hispanic in the entertainment industry, Diane Medina, the 
Director of Diversity Programs for the Walt Disney Company. Next month, 
Diane will be honored by the Latino Entertainment Media Institute's 
Community Excellence Award.
  The Latino Entertainment Media Institute is a non-profit organization 
which follows and speaks to the issue of Hispanics in the entertainment 
industry. Their theme this year is: ``Investing in our Image.''
  Diane Medina is uniquely qualified for this award. Her entire life 
she has worked to bring Hispanics into the entertainment industry 
across a wide swath of opportunities that currently exist. She was born 
and raised in Southern California, where she has worked in the industry 
for over 25 years. She worked at ABC in Human Resources and diversity, 
moving to the Walt Disney Company after they bought ABC.
  Walt Disney knew a good thing when they saw it. Diane has immersed 
herself in the non-profits associated with the industry which advocate 
a larger inclusion of Hispanics in Hollywood. She sits on boards for 
the following non-profits dealing with issues pertaining to Hispanics 
in the entertainment industry: the Imagen Foundation, Nosotros, Latino 
Entrtainment Media Institute, National Hispanic Foundation for the 
Arts, Hispanic Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, the National Council 
of La Raza (host of the Alma Awards), and many others.
  Just last month during Hispanic Heritage Month events, Diane and I 
discussed the direction of one of the non profits with whom we both 
have worked, and, as always, I was impressed with her passion and her 
commitment to the prospect of including Hispanics in the entertainment 
industry at all levels, from on-camera talent, to behind-the-camera 
talent, to the business suites of the studios.
  Diane and I share a common philosophy about how to accomplish our 
goal of getting more Hispanics in the entertainment industry. We both 
believe that if you appeal to the better angels of those you are trying 
to convince, you get more done. My grandfather used to tell me that you 
get more flies with honey than with vinegar.
  Diane knows, from her position inside the industry, that if the 
Hispanic presence is to change, so, too, must the voices doing the 
presentation. We are both persuaded that the very best way to increase 
that presence is to approach both the industry and the community with 
reasoned voices.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Diane for her role in 
increasing the number of Hispanics throughout the industry, and for 
being a role model for those who aspire to be part of the entertainment 
industry.

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