[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 94 (Friday, July 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE MEMORY OF MRS. VICTORIA SOTO CANDELARIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 9, 2004

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration that I rise 
today to honor the memory of Mrs. Victoria Soto Candelaria for her 
lifelong contributions to her community. Victoria passed away 
unexpectedly on July 4, 2004. Victoria was a pioneer educator who 
touched the lives of numerous students, both in and out of the 
classroom. She was also a union leader, activist, and community 
advocate, and her numerous accomplishments are worthy of the highest 
commendation.
  After earning a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a 
master's degree from Purdue University, Victoria devoted twenty-nine 
years to the School City of East Chicago teaching English and Spanish. 
In 1987, she was elected President of the East Chicago, Indiana 
Federation of Teachers, Local 511, a position she held until 2001. 
Additionally, Victoria was President of the Indiana Teachers Federation 
from 1997 until 2003. As well as being dearly loved and respected by 
her family and community, Victoria was known for her passionate belief 
in helping to educate the working people in her community.
  Victoria strongly believed in the importance of community involvement 
as well as political activism. She served as secretary of the Northwest 
Indiana Federation of Labor and as Vice President of the Indiana AFL-
CIO. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Lake County 
Integrated Services Delivery and for the Lake Area United Way. Victoria 
was a trustee for Ivy Tech State College and for the Indiana Federation 
of Teachers. In the political arena, she was a member of the Indiana 
Governor's Roundtable on Education and a member of the Governor's 
Commission for Hispanic and Latino Affairs. She was a three time 
National Education Policy advisor to President Clinton, a delegate to 
the Indiana Democratic Convention, and a delegate to the Democratic 
National Convention in 1992 and 1996. Victoria received invitations to 
the presidential inaugurations in 1993 and 1997. She was also honored 
with the Sagamore of the Wabash in 1997.
  While her work in the educational and political fields placed 
extraordinary demands on her time, Victoria always found time to spend 
with her most important interest, her family. By providing unwavering 
guidance to her children, she instilled in them the morals and 
fortitude that have molded her children into successful adults who are 
raising families of their own. She is survived by her loving husband of 
42 years, Isabelino, three sons and one daughter, eight grandchildren, 
and a host of other relatives.
  Mr. Speaker, Victoria Soto Candelaria dedicated her life to educating 
the nation's youth and serving as a leader and role model for all 
Americans. Because of her lifetime work and achievements, Mrs. 
Candelaria has been lauded as a tireless, passionate, and visionary 
advocate of the people. I respectfully ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in remembering Mrs. Candelaria and her 
outstanding contributions to Indiana's First Congressional District. 
She will be admirably remembered and truly missed.

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