[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 177 (Thursday, October 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING XIOMARA FLORES-HOLGUIN 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 Xiomara Flores-
Holguin as a Valley Luchadora.
  Xiomara is famous in Los Angeles County for her work as a social 
worker and protecting thousands of kids during her amazing career.
  She grew up a child of immigrants from Nicaragua. As a first 
generation American whose first language was Spanish, Xiomara has 
always understood the importance of inclusion, representation, and 
protecting those without a voice.
  She received her master's degree in social work from the University 
of Southern California and got her start working with the Los Angeles 
County Department of Children and Family Services.
  During her time posted with the Emergency Response Command, there 
were many nights when she was the only Spanish-speaking social worker 
in the entire county available to respond to emergency calls to 
accompany law enforcement to homes where Spanish-speaking children 
needed care.
  When LAPD units answered calls about gang violence, Xiomara was 
there. When LAPD busted a human trafficking ring, Xiomara was there. 
When they raided a house where drugs were being manufactured, Xiomara 
was there.
  Her primary concern was always the innocent children caught up in the 
violence, usually standing to the side, quiet and frightened while 
police arrested the adults around them. She made sure they were cared 
for and reunited with family whenever possible or placed into the 
foster system.
  Xiomara retired after 36 years with the Department of Children and 
Family Services. She leaves behind a legacy of new policies that 
protect the welfare of vulnerable children throughout Los Angeles.
  She continues to give back to her community by way of teaching part-
time at the California State University Northridge Department of Social 
Work. Xiomara understands the need for compassion and trained, 
culturally competent crisis professionals to respond to urgent calls, 
values she passes on to her students.
  In addition to her work at CSUN, she remains a tireless worker and 
advocate for underserved populations and is a major influencing member 
of the San Fernando Valley Coalition on Gangs.
  I thank Xiomara. It is my honor to recognize her as a distinguished 
community leader and luchadora during this Hispanic Heritage Month.

                          ____________________