[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO ZENAIDA MELGOZA ON BEING AWARDED THE 2002 ST. MADELEINE 
                           SOPHIE BARAT AWARD

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                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2002

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Zenaida Melgoza, a 
distinguished citizen and a resident of San Mateo County, who is being 
honored on October 16, 2002, by the Sacred Heart Schools of Atherton, 
California, with the 2002 St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Award.
  Zenaida came to the United States from Aguililla Michoac[aacute]n, 
Mexico, when she was just thirteen years old, moving with her family to 
Redwood City, California. In 1978 when she first began working at what 
was then known as Convent of the Sacred Heart, Menlo, she was already a 
young wife and the mother of two. Zenaida worked with and for the 
Religious, helping in the boarding school, the cafeteria, and with 
general housekeeping for the growing community of Sisters and students. 
She loved the children at the school and developed warm relationships 
with everyone she met. When graduates stop by to visit the campus 
today, Zenaida recognizes and remembers them, often surprising them 
when she calls them by name after 15, 20, or almost 25 years. She still 
visits regularly with the Religious she has known so well who are now 
in the retirement home on the campus.
  Sacred Heart is Zenaida's second home and she embraces everyone at 
the Schools as her family, as they do her. She has brought many of her 
relatives to the campus to work, finding someone to help the Sisters 
with whatever was needed. Her uncle and four of her cousins have worked 
at Sacred Heart over the years and some still do. Zenaida and her 
husband Rafael still live in Redwood City where they have raised their 
family of four children. Their youngest daughter Cristina just 
graduated from the grade school last year. Their oldest grandchild 
Rafael is in the first grade, and his sister Jocelyn is in the 
preschool. Zenaida's relationship with Sacred Heart is a story of love 
and dedication that is rare indeed.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to honor Mrs. Zenaida Melgoza as 
she receives the 2002 St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Award. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in saluting her and thanking her for her 
extraordinary service to the Sacred Heart community and for 
strengthening our country through her countless contributions.

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