[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE MEMORY OF MARIA PEREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2002

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with a deep sadness that I rise today 
to remember and pay tribute to a remarkable woman, Maria Perez, who was 
taken from us in the early hours of New Year's Day. A member of my 
Congressional staff for over six years, Maria was one of the most 
generous, kind-hearted people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. 
She was only thirty-three years old but she was already a true 
treasure.
  People often thank me for helping them, but what they might not 
appreciate is how Maria dedicated herself to helping people. She wasted 
few words but got the job done for hundreds, probably thousands of 
families. She worked her will with the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service, Social Security Administration and Medicare. She made such a 
difference it makes me cry. Thankfully, those families are her legacy.
  Maria could often be found at the office at all hours of the day and 
on weekends, making the necessary calls to overseas embassies and 
consulates to help constituents in need. Her commitment earned her a 
reputation throughout the many communities of Connecticut's Third 
Congressional District, with rarely a day going by without someone 
calling the office because a friend or community member had referred 
them to her. It is almost impossible to imagine what our office will be 
like without her.
  Maria never gave up her work for the poorer neighborhoods and the 
Hispanic community, even after she came to me. She worked with the Hill 
Development Corporation, a neighborhood organization dedicated to 
building affordable housing in the Hill section of New Haven. She had 
also worked with the Latino Youth Development and ProPark Enterprises. 
She participated in a great number of projects with Casa Otonial, an 
Hispanic senior community; Junta and Centro San Jose, two community 
based social service organizations; and the Spanish Community of 
Wallingford. Recently, Maria became involved in a new initiative called 
Hispanics Give Hope. Developed by the National Marrow Donor Program, 
this new program is aimed at recruiting more Hispanics to become bone 
marrow donors.
  Maria was a very special person. Her contagious smile and infectious 
good humor touched the lives of all she knew. It is not often that you 
find someone like her--a diamond in the ruff. With a seemingly infinite 
amount of compassion and patience, Maria has left an indelible mark on 
our community. I know she left an indelible impression on my entire 
staff. She was a friend to us all.
  Though it saddens me beyond words to join the many family, 
colleagues, friends, and community members that have gathered to honor 
Maria's memory, I am proud to stand today to pay tribute to her life. I 
would like to take this moment to extend my deepest sympathies to 
Maria's husband, Fernando, her mother, Maria, her sisters; Elizabeth, 
Nancy, and Daisy, and her brother Edilberto. Maria's memory will always 
be close to our hearts and her legacy will continue to be our 
inspiration.

                          ____________________