[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING ANA ROSALINDA GARCIA DE HERNANDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 2016

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
accomplishments of the First Lady of Honduras, Ana Rosalinda Garcia de 
Hernandez, a steadfast advocate for the rights and welfare of 
unaccompanied migrant children.
  First Lady Ana Rosalinda Garcia de Hernandez was born on September 
21, 1969 in Tegucigalpa, Municipality of the Central District, 
Honduras. She is the daughter of Jose Guillermo Garcia Castellanos, a 
physician; and Carlota Carias Pizzatti. Ms. Garcia de Hernandez 
received her law degree in legal and social sciences, with distinction, 
from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) in 1991.
  She met her future husband, Juan Orlando Hernandez, while she was a 
student. The couple married in 1990, and they have three children: Juan 
Orlando, Ana Daniela, and Isabella. She and her husband have lived in 
the United States, where she pursued a Certificate of Graduate Studies 
in Public Sector Management at the University at Albany, completing her 
studies in 1995. In 2002, she passed the Lawyer and Public Notary 
examination from the Supreme Court of Justice of Honduras.
  The couple first began their social services work in Lempira, 
Honduras, where they demonstrated their commitment to humanitarian work 
by aiding the neediest families in that area of the country. In 2006 
they began what came to be called ``Por Una Vida Mejor'' (``For a 
Better Life''), a pillar of success in the Honduran government's 
program for families. Vida Mejor emphasizes early childhood education.
  While her husband was serving as President of the National Congress 
from 2010 to 2014, Ms. Garcia Carias initiated, developed, and led 
social service projects through the Office of Social Development, 
building ``Vida Mejor'' into one of the most successful national 
programs.
  First Lady Garcia de Hernandez leads a commission, created by her 
husband Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, to help address the 
crisis of unaccompanied minors leaving Honduras. She has traveled to 
visit many immigration detention centers in the United States, where 
she listens to the stories of mothers and children who have taken great 
risks in search of opportunity. She advocates for the human rights of 
these migrants and ensures that their experiences are not forgotten. 
First Lady Garcia de Hernandez is committed to ensuring the welfare of 
these children in the detention centers as well as their dignified and 
safe repatriation process.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize the 
First Lady of Honduras Ana Garcia de Hernandez a compassionate leader 
and devoted servant to her people.

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