[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 28 (Wednesday, March 13, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ROSE M. AGUILAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2002

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a woman who has 
dedicated so many years to serving her city and her community, Rose 
Aguilar. Her remarkable achievements have brought so many families and 
communities together in an effort to educate and promote political 
action and community service. As members and friends of the Wayne 
County Chapter of the Hispanic Democrats gathered together on Saturday, 
March 2, 2002 to honor Rose, a longtime friend and advocate of the 
civic affairs and community service, they honored her with a 
celebration of activism, laughter, and memories.
  A leader and an activist all her life, Rose Aguilar was the first 
Hispanic female to be hired at an all-male YMCA, as Director of 
Programs and Community Service. As an employment specialist in the 
Wayne County office on Aging and as a community development specialist 
for the Wayne County Community Development Block Grants Division, her 
efforts for Wayne County have been relentless. Working as a victim 
advocate for the Wayne County Prosecutor's office until 1994, she was 
instrumental in assisting Hispanic domestic violence and homicide 
victims. Returning to full time employment through her involvement with 
migrant children, her work with the Committee of Concerned Spanish 
Speaking Americans led her to serve not only in local parent groups but 
at the state level as well. Her leadership continues today, as she is 
Vice-Chair of the Hispanic Democrats of Wayne County, the only all 
Hispanic Democrats group, and continues to remain active in several 
other political and civic organizations.
  Demonstrating outstanding dedication and commitment throughout the 
years, Rose Aguilar has truly led her community in a new direction, 
creating and developing programs that have advanced Detroit's political 
and community outreach services. She was Vice Chairwoman and former 
Board Trustee of the New Detroit Self Determination Committee, Vice 
Chairwoman of the Public Safety and Justice Committee, Executive Board 
member of Police Community Relations at Precinct 4, Assistant Director 
of LA SED, and Commissioner of the City of Detroit Senior Citizens 
Committee, to name a few. Additionally, Rose's outstanding efforts have 
not gone unrecognized, as she has been honored with prestigious awards 
like the 1978 Governor's Award as Outstanding Latina in Community 
Services, the Outstanding Public Relations Award for 1979 and 1985 from 
the Mexican Patriotic Committee, the Women's Equality Award in 1986 
from the City of Detroit's Human Rights Department, and the Cesar 
Chavez Award in 2001 from the State of Michigan Latino Democrats. Rose 
Aguilar's crusade to raise the standards of activism and community 
outreach programs is one that will be remembered by citizens of this 
community for years to come.
  I applaud Rose Aguilar for her leadership and commitment, and thank 
her for dedicating her life to serving her city and her community. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in saluting her for her exemplary years 
of service.

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