[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 130 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 
Hispanic Heritage Month, which commemorates the numerous contributions 
that Latinos make to our country.
  I am proud, honored and privileged to represent California's 53rd 
District in Congress. The district's rich diversity embodies the 
vibrant cultural fabric of our country.
  During this month of celebration, I would like to recognize the 
efforts of some ordinary individuals who are doing extraordinary things 
in San Diego.


                               Gus Chavez

  For thirty years, Gus Chavez helped make the dream of a college 
degree possible for countless students. Chavez is widely recognized as 
the heart and soul of the Education Opportunity Program (EOP) at San 
Diego State University. He transformed a pilot program to attract low-
income students into one of the most successful programs in the state's 
history.
  Chavez turned the department into a comprehensive admissions outreach 
and retention program. He expanded services to include pre-collegiate 
recruiting and pre-admission advising, academic orientation, tutoring, 
skills development and test preparation, summer bridge programs for 
freshmen and transfer students, career counseling and grants.
  At his retirement words like ``activist'' ``leader'' ``mentor'' and 
``advocate'', easily rolled off tongues. Indeed, many alumni cite 
Chavez as the person who had the most impact on their educations.


                           Alberto R. Cortes

  For nearly 18 years, Alberto Cortes has been dedicated to educating 
people of color about HIV and AIDS. He has worked as a bilingual 
information specialist and health educator for the San Diego AIDS 
Project and volunteered for the San Diego AIDS Information Line. Cortes 
has also been active with the Council of Community Clinics where he 
helped build HIV awareness and counseled individuals.
  Presently, Cortes serves as executive director of Mama's Kitchen, a 
nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers food to people 
affected by AIDS. Last year, Mama's Kitchen provided more than 316,000 
meals to community members in need.
  This year, Cortes was one of five San Diegans honored as a local hero 
as part of the Union Bank of California and KPBS Hispanic Heritage 
Month Local Heroes Awards. Awardees are chosen for demonstrating a high 
level of commitment and community participation.


                             Jose Mondragon

  While some high school students view summer vacation as a time to 
relax, this 17-year-old used it to coordinate a community meeting with 
city council members.
  Working with Barrios Unidos Hoy Organizados (BUHO), Mondragon was a 
key organizer for a public meeting that brought together 300 community 
residents to address issues of concern such as affordable housing and 
adequate street lighting. Those who worked with him on the community 
meeting describe Mondragon as ``a true role model.''
  Mondragon is currently Commissioner of Community Service for the 
Associated Student Body at San Diego High School. Despite all of his 
extracurricular activities, Jose has maintained a 3.81 GPA and hopes to 
attend Stanford University after high school.
  I hope you, Mr. Speaker, and all of my colleagues will join me in 
honoring these extraordinary individuals and their accomplishments for 
the Latino community.

                          ____________________