[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ESPERANZA MARRERO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. 
House of Representatives to pay tribute to Esperanza Marrero--a 
resident on the Lower East Side of my New York City Congressional 
District.
  Esperanza is the oldest person in New York State at 110 years old and 
4 and \1/2\ months. She has lived through two World Wars, and has seen 
the changes in culture and life in Puerto Rico--and in New York City--
over the decades.
  Born in 1893 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Esperanza is the proud 
grandmother of 15 and has dozens of great grandchildren. She credits 
her long life to getting a strong start growing up in Puerto Rico.
  Like her grandmother before her who lived to be 120, Esperanza 
continues to live a full life, playing bingo at the Lillian Wald Senior 
Center, shopping on 14th Street, or watching the boats on the East 
River. Her companion is a dog named Benji, who is said to have saved 
her life many times.
  Esperanza, which means ``hope'' in Spanish, was named appropriately--
her life and her story are truly inspirational.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Esperanza Marrero, and 
join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize 
her extraordinary life.

                          ____________________