[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 172 (Friday, October 2, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E922-E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRESSIONAL COMMENDATION HONORING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
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HON. LUCY McBATH
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 2, 2020
Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic
Heritage Month. Every year from September 15 to October 15, the history
and culture of Americans who are from or have ancestors from Spain,
Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America is recognized and
celebrated. This observation was first established as Hispanic Heritage
Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and President Ronald Reagan
expanded the observance to a full month in 1988. This thirty-day period
encapsulates many celebrations of independence for Latin American
countries. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa
Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile
also celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September
18.
Our great nation would not be the same without the profound influence
of Hispanic Americans across the country. Men and women from numerous
countries have come to the United States in search of a better life for
themselves and their families. In turn, their contributions have
brought new ideas, new cuisines, new cultures to us all, and their
presence here has created a more prosperous nation for all Americans.
Guided by the promise of freedom and the chance to participate in the
unique American experiment in democracy, some of these individuals
arrived with nothing but the clothes on their back and the hope of a
better tomorrow. Hispanic Americans have had influence on practically
every part of American history, from politics to sports to sciences.
Every day I am proud of their countless contributions to our country's
story, and I would like to take this month to honor the crucial role
that Hispanic Americans play in our society, and in Georgia's Sixth
Congressional District in particular.
The Hispanic community in Georgia is vibrant and continues to grow
significantly. I am proud to stand up and fight for the men and women
who have contributed so much to our communities each day. Hispanic
Americans help contribute to what makes this nation remarkable, and I
am honored to lift up the voices of those who have selflessly dedicated
their lives to building up themselves, their community, and this
country. During these unprecedented times, we must work harder than
ever to respect and encourage the diversity of our nation. I am
routinely impressed by spirit of service and leadership displayed by
Hispanic Americans in my district who work hard to give back to their
own communities. Their work should be recognized every day, but
particularly during Hispanic Heritage month. Therefore, I am honored to
highlight three professionals who deserve special recognition: Gilda
``Gigi'' Pedraza, Santiago Marquez, and Vanessa Kosky.
Gilda ``Gigi'' Pedraza and her team at the Latino Community Fund--
Georgia (LCF Georgia) as they advocate for the Latino community, work
to increase civic participation, provide immediate relief to the most
vulnerable communities and build grassroots organizations. Gigi has
over 20 years of experience working for both nonprofit and for-profit
spaces as a social entrepreneur. In 2018, she was the recipient of the
NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership award and was recognized as a Woman of
Inspiration by the Atlanta Dream. In the same year, she was named one
of the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia. Gigi has participated on
numerous boards including the Center for Pan-Asian Community Services
and the Feminist Health Center. She is also a member of the ARC Global
Voices Panel. Additionally, Gigi was the Georgia Awardee of the TUMI
USA Entrepreneur Award, which recognizes Peruvian immigrants for their
civic contributions. Gigi's roots are from Lima, Peru and she currently
resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Santiago Marquez is the CEO of the Latin American Association (LAA).
Marquez has held many impressive positions, including the Director of
Employment and Housing for the Latin American Association, which was
the first housing department to focus on Hispanics in Atlanta. He was
also the Director of Latino Outreach at the Boys and Girls Clubs of
America. He began working with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
in 2008 and has since served as President and CEO. In 2014, Santiago
received an award from the National Diversity Council. He has served on
multiple boards across Atlanta, including the Aurora Theatre and the
WellStar Atlanta Community Board. He is also an alumnus of Leadership
Atlanta and the Buckhead Business Leadership Class. Santiago was born
in Cuba but now lives in Atlanta with his wife and two daughters.
Vanessa Kosky was just recently appointed to be an associate judge of
the city of Doraville, and she will be the city's first Latina judge. A
graduate of John Marshall Law School, she was admitted to the State Bar
of Georgia in October of 2007. She is also a member of the Georgia
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of
Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the American Immigration Lawyer
Association. Vanessa has worked as the owner of her general practice
law firm for criminal defense, family law, and immigration defense
since 2009. She was a recognized mentor in the Georgia State Bar's
Transition into the Practice of Law Program for many years and has been
recognized for her work by the Atlanta Legal Aid Society and the
Gwinnett Pro Bono Project. During her many years practicing the law,
she has also participated in several teaching engagements in both
English and Spanish language courses. Vanessa lives in Tucker and
continues to represent and speak up for people in her community every
day.
It is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize three of the many
Hispanic Americans who work hard every day to make a difference in the
lives of others in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. As we
continue to celebrate the observation of Hispanic Heritage Month, may
we recommit to the spirit of service demonstrated by these individuals
and the many others whose stories have yet to be told. On behalf of
myself, the Sixth Congressional District of Georgia, and the United
States House of Representatives, I am proud to join in the celebration
of Hispanic Heritage
[[Page E923]]
Month. In telling the stories of community members like Gigi, Santiago,
and Vanessa, we celebrate the power of our Hispanic community in
Georgia. As a representative of our state, I will continue to champion
their values of strength, service, and patriotism every day.
____________________