[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 168 (Friday, November 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ALICE CARDONA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 4, 2011

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an American 
trailblazer, a proud Puerto Rican and New Yorker whose advocacy for 
women's rights and minorities distinguished her as a true leader. Alice 
Cardona hailed from New York's Spanish Harlem or, El Barrio, where she 
was the first of nine children. From an early age, Alice began 
contributing to her community by volunteering with the Legion de Maria 
and providing psychological support to African American and Latino 
people in need. From this early experience, Alice had instilled in her 
a strong sense of the social, economic, and educational injustices 
facing people of color and the importance of remedying them.
  Shortly thereafter, Alice worked for United Bronx Parents, where she 
helped foster parental involvement in the local school system. In 1964, 
she became involved in the first Head Start program in New York.
  By the 1970s, she was working at ASPIRA and counseling young people. 
Alice's time there inspired her to return to college and complete her 
degree, empowering her to further assist New York's minority 
communities. Upon graduation, she continued with ASPIRA and found more 
ways to become engaged in her community. She played a valuable role 
with the National Conference of Puerto Rican women and also co-founded 
HACER/Hispanic Women's Center, an important resource for assisting 
Latinas to achieve their educational goals.
  As a member of Governor Mario Cuomo's Administration, Alice was the 
assistant director for the New York State Division for Women, where she 
further advocated for bilingual education and worked to combat HIV/
AIDS, breast cancer, and domestic violence.
  IN the 1990s, I had the pleasure of working side-by-side with Alice 
during my tenure as Director of the Department of Puerto Rican 
Community Affairs in the United States. Together, we led Atrevete, the 
most successful Hispanic voter drive in American history. I will always 
look back on her dedication, passion, and tireless work ethic as an 
inspiration.
  Even in retirement, Alice dedicated herself to others by staying 
active with groups like the Puerto Rican Association for Community 
Affairs, the National Women's Political Caucus, and the National 
Association for Bilingual Education. Indeed, throughout her lifetime, 
she helped found more than 12 organizations dedicated to strengthening 
and empowering minority communities.
  Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, Alice Cardona passed away. She is 
fondly remembered by many of us as a friend and role model. For all 
Latinas, her life is a source of pride and for New Yorkers, an 
inspiration to continue striving for greater social justice and 
opportunity in our City, state, and country. I ask that all my 
colleagues join me in paying tribute to Alice Cardona, an activist, 
passionate defender of women's rights, champion of bilingual education, 
and advocate for working people everywhere.

                          ____________________