[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 9, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H3138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING VICTORIA MEJIAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Victoria Mejias, a 
leader from my district in Omaha, Nebraska, who has overcome the 
physical impairments of multiple sclerosis, or MS, to help those in 
desperate need, those who need to find new homes, new jobs, and new 
schools in the wake of Hurricanes Maria, Sandy, and Katrina and the 
tornados that rampaged Pilger, Nebraska, and Joplin, Missouri.
  Victoria has been involved in missionary work for many years and has 
always had an active interest in serving others in need. She found her 
second calling by assisting disaster relief efforts and facilitating 
the relocation of those most affected.
  In 2017, Victoria found her work hitting closer to home than ever 
before. Victoria, who is the daughter of a Puerto Rican family, 
assisted in the relief efforts for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands when they were devastated by the powerful category 4 hurricane 
which claimed an estimated 3,057 human lives and caused $91 billion 
worth of damage.
  She worked fervently alongside U.S. veteran Joel Ortiz to initiate a 
relief project that would help relocate affected families to Omaha and 
the surrounding areas. With her efforts, displaced families would have 
a place to call their home away from home.
  The result was the birth of an organization which Victoria is proud 
to call her own, Heartland United for Puerto Rico. This organization 
has assisted approximately 50 families in relocating to areas 
throughout Nebraska and Iowa and continues to make influential impacts 
in the lives of these individuals who lost nearly everything.
  Unfortunately, much of Victoria's efforts have been slowed as she 
continues her fight against the horrible impacts of MS. MS can be 
treated through disease-modifying therapies which work to reduce the 
frequency and severity of relapses, but they do not cure MS. In fact, 
there is no known cure.
  Multiple sclerosis attacks the immune system's healthy cells and 
affects the ability of the central nervous system to control the 
activities of the body.
  In 2006, Victoria encountered her first difficulty with this disease 
when she lost her balance and fell to the ground, having no feeling of 
support from her legs beneath her. She was formally diagnosed with MS 
in 2016.
  The diagnosis, although challenging, gave her a sense of relief, as 
she finally knew her experience was real and valid.
  She continues to suffer from many effects of the disease, such as 
broken legs and color blindness, and is no longer physically able to 
have the same influence she once had, but Victoria has the motivation 
to be a transformative leader within her community and does not let 
this stop her.
  When you meet Victoria, she will tell you that being self-aware of 
your challenges is a strength, not a weakness.
  What Victoria has accomplished in the lives of others is an 
achievement difficult for many who do not suffer from any physical 
limitations. Therefore, we should all draw inspiration from her 
example, her determination, and her achievements, all while struggling 
with the debilitating effects of MS.
  May we all strive to be leaders in our communities, as Victoria has 
and will continue to be.
  Victoria, we salute you and pray for your strength. We pray for your 
healing from this burdensome disease. Thank you for being such a great 
example and inspiration to all of us.

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