[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 31 (Friday, February 16, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF GILDA RAMIREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SYLVIA R. GARCIA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 16, 2024

  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Magnolia Park's own Gilda Ramirez.
  Gilda was born on February 12, 1963, in the shadow of Port Houston, a 
place that would come to define her life, and where some of her fondest 
memories were born, like hunting for Easter eggs in Mason Park.
  She knew at a young age that the door of opportunity to the halls of 
power had been cracked open for her generation, but it was up to her to 
open that door all the way and hold it open for the community.
  Gilda, ever-curious, took what she learned at Stephen F. Austin High 
School and Houston International University and embarked on a history-
making career as an executive at Houston's Metropolitan Transit 
Authority and the Port of Houston, a place she loved dearly. She was 
amazed at all the different things that came through the Port and all 
the jobs and families it helped.
  She said she could never live far away from Magnolia Park. She kept 
coming back. She found joy in connecting people, fostering friendships, 
and serving the community that had given her so much.
  Through it all, Gilda never forgot those who would follow. She stayed 
committed to mentoring future professionals and supporting and 
empowering small, minority and women-owned businesses, and keeping that 
door open.
  Mr. Speaker, Gilda swung the door wide open, and she held it there 
through her final days. Because of her work, Latina women have a seat 
at the table, our future leaders have a seat at the table, our 
community has a seat at the table.
  Gilda won countless honors, from ``Hispanic Executive of the Year'' 
by the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to ``The One Woman Soaring 
Heights Award'' by the Texas Business Alliance, but it is especially 
sweet to honor the life of my friend in the Congress of the United 
States.
  Our prayers are with her husband, Richard Arevalo, her sister, 
Rebecca Pena, and her lovely and sharp girls, Coco and Lola.
  May God bless Gilda. I thank her for everything she did for us while 
she was with us here. May she please keep watch over us as we continue 
the fight for greater inclusion and shared properity for all.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and 
legacy of Gilda Ramirez.