[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 54 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING CASILDA LUNA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 11, 2016

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Casilda Luna, who celebrated 
her 90th birthday on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
  A native of Sanchez, Dominican Republic, Casilda Luna is often 
referred to as a pioneer in the Hispanic community. Casilda Luna moved 
to Washington, D.C. in 1961, and was one of the first Hispanic 
activists in Adams Morgan. Casilda organized weekly social gatherings 
that evolved into community discussions, which addressed social 
problems in the community. She then became involved with the Latin 
American Festival organizing committee and the Latino Affairs Office of 
the District of Columbia.
  Casilda was the co-founder of the Hispanic Festival and the Mayor's 
Office of Latino Affairs, where she helped to promote the inclusion of 
Hispanics in the Metropolitan Police Department. She also founded 
Mujeres Unidas Latinas en Accion (MULA), which helped Hispanic women 
who were new to the District of Columbia by bringing them together 
through community activities.
  I ask the House to join me in recognizing her 90th birthday and her 
more than 50 years of activism in the national capital region. Casilda 
Luna is a special woman whose service to our community is greatly 
appreciated.

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