[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 128 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING ROCIO DE MATEO SMITH

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2012

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my 
colleagues Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman John Garamendi; to 
recognize and congratulate Rocio de Mateo Smith upon her retirement as 
Executive Director from the Developmental Disabilities Area Board 5.
  Born and raised in Mexico City, Rocio de Mateo Smith attended 
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, where she received a B.A. in 
Mathematics. In the United States, she received a B.A. in Psychology 
from California State University, Hayward and an M.S.W. from the 
University of California, Berkeley.
  For the past 30 years, Rocio de Mateo Smith has worked in the field 
of developmental disabilities with a special emphasis in services to 
immigrant communities. In her role as Executive Director of Area Board 
5 on Developmental Disabilities, Rocio advocated for the service rights 
of people with developmental disabilities of all ages, both at the 
individual and systemic levels. Prior to this position, she was the 
Developmental Disabilities Coordinator for Alameda County Health Care 
Services Agency and, before that, was the Executive Director of Agency 
for Infant Development, a Fremont-based program for infants with 
disabilities and their families.
  Rocio is a true champion when it comes to advocating for people with 
developmental disabilities and her knowledge with regard to resources 
in the community is unmatched. She has served and impacted countless 
individuals and families in the Bay Area, representing them and guiding 
them toward appropriate services. For all her efforts, Rocio is not 
only highly regarded, but has been recognized and honored extensively 
as an outstanding woman and as a true advocate for persons with 
disabilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in commending Rocio de 
Mateo Smith for her committed and diligent service to the community. I 
am pleased to join her family, friends, and colleagues in 
congratulating Rocio on an outstanding career and wish her the very 
best as she begins a well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________