[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

                                 ______
                                 

                            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.

                          ____________________