[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 177 (Thursday, October 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JULIETA GARCIA AS 2023 VALLEY LUCHADORA FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY CARDENAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2023

  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Julieta Garcia as a 
Valley Luchadora.
  Julieta is a compassionate woman who saw a need in her community and 
decided to act.
  Born in Sinaloa Mexico, Julieta migrated to Los Angeles, California 
in 1968 where she decided to pursue the American Dream.
  She worked hard to make it in this country, overcoming many obstacles 
to initiate a long career in post-secondary education.
  In 1981, she opened a vocational school that provided injured workers 
with career focused training.
  To many, that is a summation of a life's work--but not for Julieta. 
After retiring, she decided to give even more to her community.
  In 2015, she founded Plaza Comunitaria Sinaloa (PCS), a non-profit 
dedicated to empowering the immigrant community through adult 
education. Her belief in the power of education is the driving force to 
empower a whole community.
  Julieta and her family, Julie and Jaqueline, help people just like my 
parents, Andres and Maria Cardenas, who emigrated from Mexico with a 
first and second grade level education, to learn English, learn to use 
computers, get their GED, pass their citizenship exam, and provide 
mental health and domestic violence prevention workshops.
  Plaza Comunitaria Sinaloa grew by word of mouth from the comadres 
network.
  As many of us know, a comadres network is an informal group of 
mothers in the community connecting others with vital information and 
resources.
  Julieta has partnered with various neighborhood councils, businesses, 
and foundations.
  With the support of the community, PCS has grown tremendously since 
2021 and continues to expand programs and services based on community 
needs, priorities, and values.
  I thank Julieta. It is my honor to recognize her as a distinguished 
community leader and luchadora during this Hispanic Heritage Month.

                          ____________________