[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 37 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E394-E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO MARY HELEN YBARRA--IRA D. CALVERT DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 
                            AWARD RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Corona are exceptional. Corona has been fortunate to have dynamic and 
dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their 
time and talent and make their communities a better place to live and 
work. Mary Ybarra is one of these individuals. On March 22, 2003, Mary 
will be honored at the annual YMCA Ira D ``Cal'' Calvert Distinguished 
Service Awards Dinner.
  Mary was born in Yuma, Arizona but has resided in Corona for many 
years. She began service to the community at a very young age and as a 
teenager Mary was constantly busy organizing food drives for the needy 
in her local community. This drive and special gift of

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helping others would stay with her into adulthood. When her children 
began elementary school she quickly became involved in her local PTA. 
This involvement paved the way for her never-ending community interest 
and desire to serve. Many city events and organizations have greatly 
benefited from her presence.
  Some of the organizations that Mary has worked with include: ARC 
Angels, El Protector, Relay for Life, Day of the Young Child, A Day for 
Nicole, Little League Baseball, and Corona High Football Boosters. Mary 
has also chaired or co-chaired the following city events: the Health 
and Safety Fair, the Community Red Ribbon Week Celebration, the 
Community Blood Drive, and the fundraiser for Corona Regional Medical 
Center, ``An Evening to Remember''. Mary has also served as a YMCA 
Board Member, a member of several school site councils and has been 
involved in various school district committees.
  Throughout her years of involvement Mary has been instrumental in 
organizing numerous community events to help the needy and the 
underprivileged. Mary's crowing achievement was using her connections 
and undeniable powers of persuasion to organize two critical blood and 
marrow drives. Community participation in these events was 
overwhelming. Mary's experience, positive attitude, humor, wisdom, and 
determination led to the perfect bone marrow match for two wonderful 
and well deserving children of our community.
  Mary's tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the community of Corona, California. She 
has been the heart and soul of many community organizations and events 
and I am proud to call her a fellow community member, American and 
friend. I know that many community members are grateful for her service 
and salute her as she receives the ``Ira D. Calvert Distinguished 
Service Award''.

                          ____________________