Commending Omar Martinez Gonzalez

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Omar Martinez Gonzalez. Omar is an advocate fighting for the resources that immigrant, Black, Brown, and underserved communities need and deserve to prevent, treat, and end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

As a queer Latino immigrant, Omar has experienced firsthand the importance of high-quality, culturally competent healthcare and HIV prevention services. His experience has motivated him to build a world where no one is denied quality healthcare services because of their background, citizenship status, identity, or circumstance.

For almost two decades, from Chicago to Boston, this young man has implemented and coordinated health programs to increase access to HIV testing and prevention. He has fought for the rights and dignity of our neighbors living with HIV or AIDS, including our LGBTQI+ community and undocumented neighbors, and has advocated to protect and expand the funding necessary to end the HIV epidemic.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to commend Omar Martinez Gonzalez for his work to ensure that our neighbors, no matter their sexual orientation, gender expression, ZIP Code, background, HIV status, or citizenship status receive every single thing they need and deserve to live healthy, thriving lives. I congratulate Omar. Honoring Mario Vega

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mario Vega for his work to create spaces that uplift our young people and build safe and thriving communities.

Mario has transformed his own personal experiences, growing up in Chicago, to realize safety in our communities by investing in our city's young people.

Through the establishment of the Chicago Youth Boxing Club, and as the director of mentoring at New Life Centers, Mario understands that building community and building relationships are the recipe for safer neighborhoods. Through his mentorship of young people, including those in my own community of Humboldt Park, he sees, values, and affirms young people and supports their journey to find their confidence and purpose.

Mario's work has been recognized in ``Beacons of Hope: Stories of Strength from Chicago,'' but the true measure of his impact is seen in the violence epidemic he interrupts and the young people who, as a result, chart a new path for themselves full of possibilities.

On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to commend Mario Vega for reminding us that when we invest in our youth, we are actually investing in peace. I congratulate Mario. Recognizing Rita Kollias

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, during this holiday season, which has been so difficult for so many families, I rise to recognize the joy and hope that Rita Kollias facilitates in DuPage County in Illinois' Third Congressional District.

After serving for 10 years in the United States Marine Corps, Rita has dedicated over 20 years of her life to coordinating the Marine Corps Reserve DuPage County Toys for Tots program. The program distributes thousands of toys to more than 25,000 children via a network of local nonprofit organizations, churches, and community agencies.

Whether she is coordinating drop-off sites, recruiting volunteers, or searching for donated warehouse space, Rita's logistical skill set matches her passion and her dedication.

Rita has described her late hours and working weekends with the Marine Corps Reserve DuPage County Toys for Tots program as an obsession, one she pursues as an expression of care for her local community and area families. For her neighbors, her obsession ensures that children in our communities feel seen and valued.

On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District and this House of Representatives, I acknowledge that these holidays are more brightened because of Rita. It is my honor to commend Rita Kollias. I thank her for her service.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source