[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MS. IDA CASTRO

                                 ______


                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 1996

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Ida Castro, an 
outstanding individual who has dedicated her life to the empowerment of 
Hispanic women. Ms. Castro was recently appointed by President Clinton 
as Director of the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Castro was born in Puerto Rico. On the island, she 
directed job training and job development programs. Later on she taught 
labor law at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and worked at Hostos 
Community College in my congressional district, the south Bronx, 
helping mothers who were receiving Aid for Families with Dependent 
Children become economically independent through full-time employment.
  Ms. Castro has been a long-time advocate of women's issues. She has 
fought to improve working conditions for women, insure equal pay for 
equal work, incorporate employment with family needs, and increase job 
opportunities for women in all fields.
  Prior to her appointment as Director, she worked as Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of Labor for Workers' Compensation programs and later as the 
Labor Department's Acting Deputy Solicitor. Through her new position at 
Labor's Women's Bureau, Ms. Castro will continue working to provide 
better employment opportunities for women and encouraging them to 
develop their full potential.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Ida 
Castro for her new post as Director of the U.S. Department of Labor 
Women's Bureau and in recognizing her contributions to the advancement 
of women in this Nation.

                          ____________________