[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E237-E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MARY RODRIGUEZ HONORED BY DALLAS LIGHTHOUSE

                                 ______


                            HON. JOHN BRYANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 1996

  Mr. BRYANT of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this past December, one of my 
constituents, Ms. Mary Rodriguez, received an outstanding honor. She 
earned the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind's Ronald Pearce 1995 Blind 
Employee of the Year Award. Ms. Rodriguez achieved this status by 
demonstrating outstanding job performance and exemplary work practices.
  Mary, who is totally blind, assembles certificate binders for the 
vinyl fabrication department of the Dallas Lighthouse, where she has 
been an employee for 8 years. Mary's dedication to her work is apparent 
in the amount of time she spends on the clock. For the past several 
months, Mary had been working a shift and a half, which breaks down to 
12 hour days. She is now pursuing her GED.
  Because of this award, she is eligible for the Peter J. Salmon 
National Blind Employee of the Year Award, selected by National 
Industries for the Blind [NIB]. NIB is the central nonprofit agency for 
industrial centers employing people with vision impairments under the 
Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act of 1938.
  I commend Ms. Rodriguez for her motivation to succeed, learn, and 
grow in the workplace--all of which have contributed to her 
achievements this year.

[[Page E238]]


                       TRIBUTE TO MARY EVA GOMEZ

                                 ______


                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 1996

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mary Eva 
Gomez, a special woman who has spent much of her life working for the 
betterment of her community.
  Mary Eva was born to Juan and Laura Gutierrez on February 28, 1931, 
in Hanover, NM. Her early education was spent in the Grant County 
schools until she moved on to St. Mary's Academy, where she graduated 
from high school. While in New Mexico, Mary Eva began her community 
involvement. She became an accomplished violinist, which earned her a 
seat with the Grant County Symphony in 1951 and 1952. She also served 
as organist and choir master for Holy Family Catholic Church in 
Hanover.
  Mary Eva and her husband Ramon, whom she married in 1949, moved to 
California in 1957, settling in Pico Rivera in 1964. She and her 
husband have 6 children and 11 grandchildren.
  Mary Eva has served as a strong advocate for the children of the El 
Rancho Unified School District. From 1964 to the present, she has taken 
an interest in the education that the children of Pico Rivera receive. 
From attending countless Parent Teacher Association meetings to serving 
as a distinguished member of the district board of education, Mary Eva 
has demonstrated her genuine concern for the children of the community.
  Mary Eva has served her community in many other ways. She is an 
active member in the Pio Pico Women's Club, a member of Auxiliary 
V.F.W. Post 7734, and an educator and minister at St. Hilary's Catholic 
Church for which she raised $1,500 for its food for the homeless 
project. This is only a fraction of her community involvement.
  Although her accomplishments are many, her work on the El Rancho 
Unified School District Board of Education from 1981 through 1995 is 
what most deserves notice, and commendation. Her presence will be 
sorely missed but her deeds will be dearly remembered.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and honor that I ask my 
colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mary Eva Gomez, a special 
friend, energetic public servant and community leader, an individual 
who has given so generously to so many.

                          ____________________