[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING SOL ORTEGA AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR 
                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2024

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Sol Ortega was born in Peru and migrated to 
Kissimmee when she was seven years old. Her parents, Esther Rivasplata 
and David Ortega, created a life in Central Florida where they 
contributed to the growing tourism economy. Her family's immigration 
journey and sacrifices inspired Sol to pursue a career in public 
service to give back to the community she grew up in. While she was 
young, she participated in community service projects through the local 
YMCA, becoming a mentor for Bookmark Buddies through the Education 
Foundation of Osceola County, and, while in high school, volunteered in 
Teen Court, a program to divert less serious juvenile cases away from 
the more formal Juvenile Court.
  During her time at Professional and Technical High School, she 
enrolled in the dual enrollment program where she attended Valencia 
College. Thanks to this program, she was able to earn her associate 
degree and high school diploma at the same time. She then moved to 
Gainesville, Florida, to attain her bachelor's degree in political 
science and Latin American Studies--making her the first in her family 
to graduate from a four-year institution.
  During her time at the University of Florida, Sol advocated for 
immigrant issues and completed a fellowship in the Florida State 
Capitol. Sol then moved to Washington, D.C., to pursue an internship in 
Congress and worked in service of Florida's Ninth Congressional 
District, providing vital support for constituents, including during 
the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Sol now works at the White House 
Office of Public Engagement, conducting outreach to the broader Latino 
community.
  Ms. Ortega's leadership has allowed her to represent Central Florida 
and Kissimmee proudly. She will continue to work towards creating 
spaces for her community to be heard and represented at all levels of 
government, with the goal of building a better community.

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