[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1332-E1333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MARCEL RIVAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2021

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, from the 24th Congressional 
District of the great State of Florida, it is my honor to rise to honor 
Marcel Rivas for his extraordinary work in adoption, permanency, and 
child welfare.
  It was truly my privilege to nominate him for the Congressional 
Coalition on Adoption Institute's Angel in Adoption award. Adoption 
gives hopeful parents an opportunity to raise a child they wouldn't 
have otherwise. It also provides children with loving families and hope 
for the future.
  Over the course of his 27-year career as a child welfare 
professional, which includes 21 years at the Children's Home Society of 
Florida, Marcel has helped more than 3,000 children find their forever 
families. He also streamlined countywide systems to expedite permanency 
via adoptions and worked with the child welfare system of care 
partners, advocating locally and statewide for, and on behalf of, 
adoptive families to ensure their voices are valued and heard.
  I applaud him for the particular time and attention that he has 
devoted to children with special needs and minority populations, who 
unfortunately are harder to place, but also have the greatest need for 
a safe and secure home environment.
  At Citrus Family Care Network, he oversees the education department, 
as well as the largest Transitioning Youth Services Department in 
Florida, serving hundreds of young adults, ages 18 to 23, who have aged 
out of foster care.
  This is a critical and pivotal point in these young lives, and as a 
former educator and someone who has advocated on behalf of children 
throughout my entire career. I am grateful that they have Marcel to 
help guide them to reach their full potential.
  I thank Marcel Rivas for his hard work, dedication and all of the joy 
that he has helped bring to thousands of families. He truly is an 
angel.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues, my constituents of the 24th 
Congressional District of the great State of Florida, the residents of 
Miami-Dade and all Americans to please join me in celebrating Marcel 
Rivas' remarkable achievements.

[[Page E1333]]

  

                          ____________________