[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING AIXA TORRES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2014

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Aixa Torres, a tireless 
advocate for New York's working families. Born in Santurce, Aixa moved 
with her parents and sisters to New York City in 1955. Attending public 
school, she graduated from Central Commercial High School as a 
certified Bookkeeper. She has lived for over 50 years in the Lower East 
Side (LES) with her siblings Silvia, Aurea and Arthur.
  In 1971, Aixa married the late George Carmona, Jr. and had two 
children, George III and Liza Noemi. She still lives in the LES with 
her daughter and grandchildren Mia Noemi and Elijah Michael Daniel.
  Aixa has committed her life to caring for her community. For more 
than three decades she assumed leadership roles on numerous committees 
and boards for various organizations in the city including parent 
associations and Action for Progress Adult Day Care center. For twenty-
two years she has advocated for District 1 families.
  Aixa was elected President of Alfred E. Smith Resident Association in 
2010, representing over 4,300 tenants in twelve buildings. Now serving 
her second term as president, Aixa has stood out as a courageous, 
committed and caring fighter for Smith residents. She has worked to end 
neglect and abuse by city agencies, helped stop attempts to develop 
luxury apartments on open spaces, while caring for residents in the 
crisis of Hurricane Sandy.
  During her tenure as president she and the association have received 
citations from the New York City Council and recognition from the New 
York State Assembly and Senate for her work on behalf of Smith 
residents. Aixa was honored by the New York City Council Women's Caucus 
at the Inagural #WOMENLEAD Celebration.
  Mr. Speaker, this month, Aixa will be retiring from her post as a 
District 1 Family Advocate. While she is leaving her position with the 
New York City Department of Education, anyone who knows Aixa recognizes 
she will certainly remain an active and welcome voice in our community. 
Today, I would ask all my colleagues to join me in saluting someone who 
has been a champion for New York residents and a stalwart defender of 
our city's families--Aixa Torres.

                          ____________________