[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 30 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MARINA E. ORTEGA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2008

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I report the 
passing of Marina E. Ortega, a long time resident of Mount Vernon, who 
died on February 7, 2008. She was born January 18, 1938 to Felix and 
Maria Ortega in Jamaica, West Indies, where she was raised. She trained 
as a nurse in England, graduating as a state certified midwife.
  In 1968, she arrived in the United States and worked as head nurse in 
the medical/surgical unit at United Hospital. She also obtained her 
certificate as a nurse practitioner, HIV counselor, and New York State 
certified nurses aids trainer and examiner.
  She retired in 1992 and worked as a volunteer at the Mount Vernon 
Neighborhood Health Center until June 2006. During this period she 
established a volunteer services program and placed over 300 volunteers 
at the center; she set up and coordinated a Reach-Out and Read literacy 
program for children, which became a model program for the State; and 
served on all fundraising committees.
  In 2006, Ms. Ortega organized and served as president of the 
Caribbean Cultural Caucus where she fought vigorously for an amnesty 
bill for the English-speaking Caribbean nations. In 2000, in part 
because of her work, I introduced legislation to amend the Immigration 
and Nationality Act in regard to Caribbean-born immigrants.
  Ms. Ortega was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon. 
She is survived by a sister, Helen Graham; three brothers, Francisco 
Ortega, Sisto Ortega, and St. George Walker; two aunts, Josepha, 
Castera and Daisy Hernandez; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Webb; with Carol 
Morris and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
  Marina and I worked together many times in helping the Caribbean 
community. She was ardent and steadfast in helping people as a nurse, 
as a volunteer, and as someone who cared deeply for her community. It 
is with great sorrow that I and the entire community say farewell to 
her.

                          ____________________