[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 184 (Wednesday, October 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ELBA GONZALEZ-MARES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 20, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Elba 
Gonzalez-Mares in celebration of her 15th anniversary at Community 
Health Initiative (CHI) in Napa County.
  Born in Puebla, Mexico, Ms. Gonzalez-Mares moved to California when 
she was just a year old, and now lives in Napa, California. She 
attended the University of California, Davis where she received her 
bachelor's degree in international relations in 2005. After finding her 
passion for helping the most vulnerable in her community, Ms. Gonzalez-
Mares began working as a health access assistant at Community Health 
Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enrolling families in 
affordable health insurance plans. She then became the coordinator and 
manager for the organization before working her way up to becoming the 
executive director. She has expanded CHI from serving only the Napa 
community to serving several counties throughout California. As a 
result of her commitment to aiding underprivileged communities, Ms. 
Gonzalez-Mares has helped thousands of individuals and families gain 
access to quality health care coverage.
  In addition to serving in her various roles at CHI, Ms. Gonzalez-
Mares has held numerous positions dedicated to helping underserved 
communities. She became the board chair of California Coverage and 
Health Initiatives (CCHI), a statewide association that helps families 
navigate through affordable healthcare services. Ms. Gonzalez-Mares 
became commissioner for First 5 Napa County, a nonprofit that provides 
support services for early childhood development. She was also elected 
as the president of the Napa Valley Unified School District Board of 
Trustees. Ms. Gonzalez-Mares is a member of the Community Leaders 
Coalition, an organization that advocates for vulnerable populations 
within the Napa County community. Additionally, Ms. Gonzalez-Mares has 
assisted in creating a model for organizations similar to CHI to help 
individuals enroll in health care coverage and access health care 
services.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident that Ms. Gonzalez-Mares has selflessly 
dedicated her career to helping Napa's most vulnerable communities. 
Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

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