[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 80 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO MIGRANT HEAD START CENTER WORKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2000

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, migrant farm workers often come to the 
United States under severe circumstances and hardship, looking for work 
in this great country. Unfortunately, services and programs for migrant 
workers are often unavailable. I rise to pay tribute to three people 
who devoted their lives to helping migrant farm workers become self-
sufficient in their new lives here in America. And on Sunday, June 25, 
2000, Francisca Huizar, Aida Ortiz and Fernando Fecundo will be honored 
and memorialized in a tree planting ceremony at the Migrant Head Start 
Center in Omer, Michigan.
  In Michigan's Fifth District we are fortunate, not only to have a 
Migrant Head Start Center, but also to have staff workers that are 
dedicated to the success and well being of those who use their 
services. Though Francisca, Aida and Fernando have all passed away, 
their hard work and devotion to helping the migrant community remains 
as an example to us all.
  Each one of the individuals being honored this Sunday has contributed 
to the success of the center in various ways. Fernando, who moved to 
Bay City with his family in 1961, gave special time and attention to 
the migrant farm worker population in the region. Francisca, who also 
worked as a counselor at Bay City Public High Schools, focused on 
helping workers with education and health services. And Aida, a former 
state education coordinator, was involved in infant/toddler classrooms 
and staff training. Both Aida and Fernando not only taught and helped 
others advance their education, but they also modeled this aspiration 
by continuing to work toward college degrees.
  At a time of unprecedented prosperity and success in our country, the 
disadvantaged sometimes get left behind. I am proud to say, Mr. 
Speaker, that because of people like Aida, Fernando and Francisca, the 
migrant community in Arenac County is not being left behind. These 
three people contributed their lives to the Migrant Head Start Center 
and to those in need who came there for help.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to these three 
outstanding individuals who play critical roles in the well being of 
migrant farm workers in Michigan's Fifth District. They will be missed, 
but their legacy will remain.

                          ____________________