Elian Degen and Family Miramar, FL, 33027 November 22, 2009 *Thank you letter to all the People who gave me their support over the last ten years .* Last month, October 2009, I received my green-card. Ten years ago, when everything started, I was a Master Piano Technician and Tuner in Caracas, Venezuela. Also I was quite active in the Piano Lists (PTG., MPT., and CAUT) and even though the new ones will not know me, there is still a lot that will. 1999, Political and Economical situation was rapidly deteriorating in Venezuela, after the 1998 elections. I tried to find a way to leave, and after discussing it with my colleagues, I was surprised how many offered me their support and help to get to the United States. First of all I have to extend my gratitude to my parents (already deceased) who encouraged me to take this step, even knowing that probably I would never see them again. My Cousin, Benjamin Reif, who always believed in me. And nonetheless the rest of my Family , very specially my Wife who stayed behind taking care of all the problems including of my parents to their last breath. In the United States In a very special way to Mrs. Diane Hofsteter, (California) , and Diane and John Cordogan (Chicago) who did all what was possible to keep me there. Mr. Richard Galassini from Cunningham Pianos. (Pennsylvania) Excellent friends from all the piano lists, which I even visited and spent some time with them, Ralph Martin† and Barbara Martin, (Florida) James Bryant (Florida), Wilem Bless (Alabama) James Coleman (Arizona) Newton Hunt† (New Jersey), Gina Carter† (North Carolina). Jon Page, (Massachusetts) Back to California SMC (Samik) I worked for them several month until, again, the local Immigration attorney did not know how to handle it. I was told that in Miami I would find a Lawyer with expertise in my type of case. And so it happened. Florida, I have to mention: Mrs. Tibisay Cordido and her family who helped us stay at her place until finding our own. Mr. Roberto Filacchione, Helped me when I moved to Weston. Danny Pianos in Pompano Beach Mr. Manny Perez owner of Piano and Art Galeria who gave me a job at his store and the necessary sponsorship for immigration. Also here I met Mr. Robert Mishkin and Mr. Mark Shapiro Mrs. Gloria Roa Bodin, Immigration attorney who started my process, and Mrs. Maylin Silva who finished it. I also receive a great deal of support from all the people and Institutions for which I worked here in South Florida and took the time to send my credits to Immigration: Venevision international Schimmel Pianos Young Chang Florida Grand Opera Mr. Jorge Mejia Mr. Baoli Liu Geneva Intl. Corp. Bossendorfer And a very special Thanks to a great Friend, Colleague and Man Thomas Sheehan, who offered himself to do my Evaluation for Immigration, being at the time terminally ill and refused to accept the normal charges, I will always remember him. To all who gave me their support thank you very much, To the ones I did not mention, thank you very much also. If I forgot any I am very sorry and thank you also. Ad to finish, to all those who did not believed in me and assured me I would fail, also thank you as that gave me strength to fight even more. Elian Degen Formerly Degen y Degen, in Caracas, Venezuela Now: Degen’s Piano Miramar FL. www.degenspiano.com Phone 9546143453 email Elian at degenspiano.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20091123/9bfe0ede/attachment-0001.htm> -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Elian Degen and Family Thank you Letter.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 30024 bytes Desc: not available URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20091123/9bfe0ede/attachment-0001.pdf>
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