[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 ANA IBARRA 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 Ana Ibarra, also 
known as ``Dona Ana'', as a Valley Luchadora. Dona Ana is the founder 
and owner of Pozoleria Dona Ana.
  Ana was born and raised in Nayarit, Mexico, and came to the United 
States 44 years ago at the age of 18. With only a middle school 
education, Ana began her business in her living room in Panorama City, 
selling a popular Mexican dish, pozole.
  Despite struggling with depression, Dona Ana found motivation to 
pursue the American dream and open her own small business.
  Despite three localities denying her the license to open her 
restaurant, she persevered and is now located in the heart of Panorama 
City. Today, she has brought people from all over the United States to 
try her meals and bring people together through her food.
  Dona Ana is the embodiment of the American dream and our community's 
`si se puede' mantra.
  Since her one-year anniversary she shared through her restaurant 
funds, she has been able to send donations to over 300 children in 
Mexico because she remembers her humble beginnings.
  It is this same spirit of generosity that she has taught to her 
family-owned restaurant and customers. Today, Dona Ana feeds any 
homeless person that enters her restaurant because she believes ``a 
nadie se le niega un taco,'' which loosely translates to ``you don't 
deny anyone food.''
  I thank Ana. It is my honor to recognize her as a distinguished 
leader and luchador during Hispanic Heritage Month.

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