[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE OF MARIA ESTHER CARRILLO, FOUNDER OF THE HISPANIC-
AMERICAN INTER-CULTURAL WORKSHOP, FORMER MEMBER OF THE MAYOR'S HISPANIC 
  ADVISORY COUNCIL, FOUNDER OF THE HISPANIC YOUTH VOICE OF TAMPA AND 
          FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE TAMPA HISPANIC HERITAGE INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 2009

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to herald the life 
and philanthropic contributions of Maria Esther Carrillo, and to 
express our gratitude for her achievements in the Tampa Bay area as a 
passionate community activist and educational leader.
  Carrillo and her husband Francisco escaped a violent Colombia, 
controlled by Marxist guerillas and drug cartels, to settle in Tampa in 
1990; only five years after graduating from The University of the Andes 
in 1985. Carrillo immediately identified with the strong Hispanic 
culture in Tampa. She made it her life's work to focus on improving the 
education of those around her. She sought to bridge English and 
Hispanic cultures by introducing multicultural studies in language and 
heritage. Through her work with the Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc., 
Carrillo was able to bridge communities of Hispanic and non-Hispanic 
citizens through countless cultural celebrations and in so doing fusing 
together diverse groups within the Tampa area.
  Carrillo's faith and fervor in a multicultural Tampa, led to the 
foundation of the Taller Intercultural Hispano-Americano (TICH) in 
1998. Her non-profit was established to champion the coexistence of 
diverse groups; to educate, share and enjoy other cultures and 
heritage. Carrillo, the Founder-Director, amassed sponsorships for a 
free festival that emphasized dance, folklore, food, culture, lifestyle 
and art for the Tampa community.
  Her core beliefs were founded in the limitless potential of the next 
generation and it is with her commitment that her intrinsic reaction 
was not surprising. Sacrificing herself, Maria Esther Carrillo moved 
her body into harm's way, allowing her maternal instinct to shield her 
daughter from the out of control truck in Miami, Florida. The proud 
mother was accompanying her daughter, a high school senior, home after 
accepting a college scholarship so that she could attend Columbia 
University in the fall.
  She lived as she died, protecting and helping the future of the 
hardworking Hispanic youth that she loved so dearly.
  I wish Maria Liliana Carrillo a speedy recovery and my thoughts and 
prayers are with the Carrillo family.

                          ____________________