[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CARMEN IRIS GONZALEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2002

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
community activist and humanitarian. Ms. Carmen Iris Gonzalez, an 
exceptional counselor with the South Bronx Mental Health Council, is 
retiring after over 30 years of community service.
  Ms. Gonzalez was born in Manati, Puerto Rico and began her career as 
an administrative aide to the local police department in Manati when 
she was a young lady. She also assisted people with securing affordable 
housing and obtaining Section 8 vouchers. Ms. Gonzalez later came to 
New York in search of opportunity. She encountered and even created 
numerous opportunities to improve her community and the lives of her 
neighbors.
  In the 1970's, Ms. Gonzalez worked as a community worker with the 
Puerto Rican Community Development Project, which is no longer in 
existence. This work intensified her commitment to community 
development and made her a familiar face in local affairs. Politically 
empowering the Latino community became one of her main priorities and 
as a result she became a pivotal agent in the Voters Cruzade 
Registration Project. She was also very active in the Voter 
Registration Campaign sponsored by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. She 
was awarded the top prize for registering more than 10,000 new voters 
citywide.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Gonzalez has dedicated the majority of her adult 
life to serving her community. For six years, she headed the kitchen at 
the Gilberto Ramirez Senior Citizen Center, supervising the preparation 
of wholesome, nutritious meals for its elderly residents. For nearly 
twenty years, she has lent her time, energy and caring spirit to 
mentally ill residents in the South Bronx who benefit from the services 
of the South Bronx Mental Health Council, where she serves as a 
counselor.
  When she bought a home on Melrose Avenue in my district in 1995, Ms. 
Gonzalez promptly established the Melrose Block Association of 
Homeowners, empowering her neighbors and vastly improving the 
neighborhood.
  After years of hard work and dedication, Ms. Carmen Iris Gonzalez is 
going to retire and enjoy the sunshine of Orlando, Florida. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing a model citizen and in wishing her 
rest and relaxation.

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