[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 144 (Thursday, October 21, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2165]]


            TRIBUTE TO MANA, A NATIONAL LATINA ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 21, 1999

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to stand before 
you today to pay tribute to the members of MANA, a national Latina 
organization whose members are in our Nation's Capital to celebrate the 
25th Anniversary of the founding of this organization.
  MANA, a national Latina organization, was founded in 1977 as a 
Mexican American Women's National Association. Its mission is to 
strengthen Latina community leaders; cultivate vital and prosperous 
Latino communities and advance public policy for an equal and just 
society. MANA is a membership-based organization headquartered in 
Washington, D.C. and has chapters across the country.
  For over 25 years, MANA has been the voice for Latinas in the 
Nation's Capital and across the country--from the statehouse to the 
White House. They have shared the national and international concerns 
of Hispanas with Presidents of the United States and Mexico and 
consulted with cabinet-level leaders on a range of domestic issues. 
Through its chapters, MANA has duplicated a strong advocacy role at the 
community level.
  Throughout its rich history, MANA has established a number of 
programs which have been replicated at the local level through their 
chapters. From the outset, MANA viewed leadership development as the 
key to achieve a dream of ``full empowerment of Latinas.'' To that end, 
the organization holds annual training conferences on public policy 
issues and the legislative process. MANA also provides scholarships 
specifically targeting Latinas. Concerned with the high dropout rate, 
MANA developed its youth stay-in-school program, Las herMANITAS. This 
program has been duplicated at the chapter level. Through role models, 
success stories, personal triumphs, encouragement and leadership 
training, MANA has developed, inspired, motivated and mobilized self-
reliant, determined and courageous women to become community leaders.
  Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the women who led the 
organization the last 25 years. Through their efforts they demonstrated 
how a totally volunteer organization of more than 1,000 women across 
the country can make a difference in creating a better future for 
Hispanic women, their families and their communities. Past National 
Presidents include: Blandina (Bambi) Cardenas, Founder, 1974; Bettie 
Baca, Organizing Chair 1974-75; Evangeline (Vangie) Elizondo, President 
1975-76; Gloria Lopez Hernandez, President 1976-77; Elisa Sanchez, 
President 1977-79 and 1995-1999; Wilma Espinoza, President 1979-81; 
Raydean Acavedo, President 1981-83; Veronica (Ronni) Collazo, President 
1983-85; Gloria Barajas, President 1985-86; Maria Rita Jaramillo, 
President 1986-88; Irma Maldonado, President 1988-90; Judy Canales, 
President 1990-92 and Elvira Valenzuela Crocker, President 1992-94.
  On behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, we applaud you for 
your contributions, and we thank you for your leadership on behalf of 
Latinas and Latinos throughout the country. We look forward to 
continuing to work with you in the years to come.

                          ____________________