[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 46 (Thursday, March 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING ELISA DE LA VARA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUBEN GALLEGO

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 2021

  Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the faithful 
service and hard work of Elisa de la Vara, who will retire this month 
after nearly fifty years of service to the people of Arizona. Born and 
raised in the small border community of Somerton, Arizona, Elisa has 
dedicated her life to following her father's example by giving back to 
her community.
  Elisa most recently served as Chief Community Officer for the Arizona 
Community Foundation. In this role, she oversaw the investment of 
nearly half a billion dollars in grant funding to community 
organizations across Arizona and brought diverse voices and 
perspectives together through her work with the Latinos Unidos 
Initiative, the Black Philanthropy Initiative, the Asian Pacific 
American Women's Giving Circle, and the Native American Initiative. She 
also led the Foundation's affordable housing initiative and rural 
philanthropy work, where she developed innovative solutions to make 
sure more Arizona families had access to housing.
  Elisa has also served in many other roles including as District 
Director for my distinguished predecessor, Congressman Ed Pastor, 
Special Assistant to Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt, Executive Vice 
President for Chicanos Por La Causa, and Assistant to the President of 
the League of United Latin American Citizens. Elisa's work often 
focused on housing. She opened and led Fannie Mae's Arizona Office and 
she developed and hosted Arizona's first Spanish language real estate 
television show on Univision entitled Bienvenido a Mi Casa, which was 
devoted to informing and educating viewers on the rights and 
responsibilities of home ownership, including the mortgage process.
  Throughout her distinguished career, Elisa rightfully earned many 
awards and recognitions. I would like to share my deep appreciation to 
Elisa for her years of service to our Congressional District, to our 
community, and to all of Arizona, and I wish her all the best in her 
retirement.

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