[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF SOFIA MENDOZA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Sofia 
``Sophie'' Mendoza. Her passing was unexpected, and represents a huge 
loss to the community in San Jose. Sophie was born in 1934 in Fillmore, 
California. Her father was a labor organizer, and would often move the 
family in search of new opportunities. After relocating to Arizona in 
1939, Sophie settled in San Jose while attending Campbell Grammar 
School and Campbell High School.
   Sophie's father would often tell her ``we are born into this life 
with a purpose to help one another.'' Sophie would go on to dedicate 
her life to fight injustice wherever she saw it, eventually becoming 
one of the most accomplished community organizers in California's 
history. She frequently crossed paths with leaders such as United Farm 
Workers founder Cesar Chavez, author Ernesto Galarza, and playwright 
Luis Valdez.
   Sophie's first major accomplishment came early in high school. 
Campbell High School, which had few Latino students, had French, 
German, and Math clubs but no Spanish club. Frustrated, she complained 
to her father who encouraged her to find a solution. Refusing to be 
marginalized, she circulated petitions, talked to teachers and raised 
enough signatures to establish the Spanish Club at Campbell High. It 
was the beginning of a journey pursuing equity and recognition for all.
   Sophie met her husband, Gilbert Mendoza, shortly after completing 
high school and began studying at San Jose State University. At the end 
of her third year, the couple married and started a family. Sophie 
involved her children in organizing from the beginning. Her son was 
able to name every San Jose City Councilmember before he started the 
first grade.
   Sophie went on to start United People Arriba, an umbrella 
organization that brought together grassroots community organizations 
and managed multiple political projects. She was instrumental in 
establishing the first major health clinic in East San Jose, personally 
led a 2,000 person demonstration against police brutality, and worked 
with international delegations from Nicaragua and El Salvador to 
promote peace. When she learned that her children's schools were 
receiving unequal funding, she organized the first student walkout in 
California history. She was a trailblazer who left a lasting impact in 
San Jose. I am here today to recognize her as one of San Jose's most 
influential leaders.
   Sophie is survived by her children Rick, Agustin, Sandra and 
William, with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The 
oldest sibling of five children, Sophie is survived by her siblings 
Robert, Larry and Margaret.
   Mr. Speaker, we commend Mrs. Sophia Mendoza for her years of 
dedication and commitment to San Jose and the Latino community. Her 
contributions serve as an example of what can be accomplished by 
uniting our communities and working toward positive change.

                          ____________________