[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E366-E367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF MARIA PLASENCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2005

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of Maria Plasencia, a beloved San Diego activist. Maria passed away on 
February 1, 2005. She is survived by her parents, Alma and Jesse 
Plasencia of Crown Point, Indiana, and brother, Jesse Jr. of 
Schererville, Indiana.
  If an issue involved equality and social justice, Maria was among the 
first to rally her fellow feminists. Last April, as an official and 
activist in the San Diego Democratic Club, she organized a 500-member 
San Diego delegation that joined the March for Women's Lives in 
Washington, DC. After organizing San Diego's effort in the March of 
Women's Lives--which drew about a million people to Washington--Maria 
was elected to NOW's national board.
  To those who knew her, bringing hundreds of San Diegians for the 
march in Washington, D.C. exemplified her uncompromising beliefs and 
her ability to galvanize grass-roots support. Her colleagues describe 
Maria as energetic and passionate about her beliefs. A diabetic, Maria 
did not let her condition stand in the way of pursuing her interests or 
from leading an active life.
  In her role as an activist and in her job as an auditor for General 
Electric Commercial Finance, Maria traveled extensively. She enjoyed 
meeting new people and seeing the country. Cities and small towns alike 
fascinated Maria, delighting in each one's population and character.
  Maria grew up in Crown Point, Indiana. Her father, a steel mill 
worker, had come to the United States from Mexico as a young man. Maria 
became the first member of her family to attend college and graduated 
with a degree in accounting from the University of Dayton.
  Her career brought her to San Diego more than a decade ago. A 
longtime feminist and

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supporter of NOW, she jumped wholeheartedly into local politics. 
Through her volunteering, Maria developed contacts that brought her 
into the San Diego Democratic Club. Called ``a staple of the work 
crew,'' Maria quickly distinguished herself through her participation. 
She was elected Chairwoman of the Women's Caucus in 1999 and Executive 
Vice President in 2001.
  Maria has left behind a legacy. The President of the San Diego 
Democratic Club had the following to say, ``As we do things within our 
club--increasing its diversity, making it more woman-friendly--it will 
be in no small part due to the memory of Maria. ``
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Maria 
Plasencia's family by celebrating her life and contributions to the San 
Diego community. Maria was admired by so many for her dedication to 
women's issues and the friendly and effective manner she brought to 
activities. She will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________