[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 44 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SISTER ASCENSION BANEGAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 22, 2010

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to pay tribute to Sister Ascension Banegas, an extraordinary 
woman who is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. 
Sister Banegas is truly deserving of this high distinction for the 
profound impact she has made not only upon Delaware, but around the 
world.
  Sister Ascension Banegas, Spanish Carmelite Sister of Charity, has 
lived in Delaware since 1994. She has worked on behalf of the less 
fortunate in Japan, England, and New York City, before moving to rural 
Delaware to be the very first trained nonprofit immigration provider in 
the southern part of the State. In 1996, she helped co-found ``La 
Esperanza'' (``Hope'') Community Center, which is a multiservice, 
bilingual center in Georgetown, Delaware. Because of Sister Ascension's 
influence, La Esperanza and nearby Delaware Technical and Community 
College have great numbers of immigrant English language learners, 
which aids in the integration and empowerment of immigrants in Southern 
Delaware. In October of 2009, she received the Bank of America Local 
Hero Award, and is profoundly respected by her clients and colleagues 
for her ceaseless advocacy, spirit, strength and humor on behalf of the 
Spanish-speaking community.
  Sister Ascension has dedicated 55 years to helping people in need 
around the globe, having a life-changing impact in communities in 
Spain, Japan, London, Brooklyn, NY and Delaware. Her tireless advocacy 
on behalf of those suffering from poverty and discrimination is 
unrivaled, and she remains committed to fight for justice for 
hardworking immigrants and foreign nationals living in Delaware.
  Her ceaseless efforts to improve the situation of the immigrant 
population, as well as that of the broader community, are testaments to 
her tremendous quality of character. I commend her for her outstanding 
service to the State of Delaware, and wish her all the best as she 
accepts the well-deserved honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame 
of Delaware Women.

                          ____________________