[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 7, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO ROSALYN RIVERA--CALIFORNIA'S 24TH CONGRESSIONAL WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2024

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year 
Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central 
Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to 
recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Rosalyn 
Rivera of Santa Maria, California.
  Rosalyn Rivera is an amazingly compassionate, positive, and resilient 
volunteer. She also acts as a long-distance caregiver for her father, 
Hector in Puerto Rico, who was diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer's 
Disease at fifty-eight years old. She knows well the journey of a 
caregiving daughter and has made it her mission to assist others as 
they care for their loved ones.
  Rosalyn is a champion in the community, a role model for those living 
with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. She has been a volunteer 
and an advocate for the Alzheimer's Association for many years. On top 
of that, she has led efforts to bring awareness and education on 
Alzheimer's to Santa Maria, as well as the broader Central Coast area. 
She not only leads our advocacy efforts in the district, but volunteers 
with every aspect of the Alzheimer's Association.
  Currently, Rosalyn is training as a community educator with an 
interest in outreach, especially within Spanish-speaking communities. 
In this role, she plans to assist with education on dementia--what it 
is, what it isn't, and how to communicate about it more effectively. 
She will show people where to find resources and how to better 
understand those who are dealing with the disease.
  With her dedication and passion, Rosalyn has improved every community 
she has lived in. In fact, everything she works on and learns at the 
Alzheimer's Association, Central Coast Chapter, she takes back to her 
home community in Puerto Rico to raise awareness among those impacted 
by the disease.
  Rosalyn is guided by a true and humble desire to make a positive 
impact on the world around her. She impressively juggles being a 
mother, a daughter, a caregiver, an employee, and a volunteer all in 
one day. She performs every one of those roles exceptionally and gives 
her one hundred percent to everything.
  Rosalyn is a shining example of perseverance through deep personal 
and familial struggle. She models compassion, care, and dedication for 
all those in her community. Even more, she has committed to reaching 
beyond her community to benefit others.
  I am honored to recognize Rosalyn Rivera, for her exemplary 
leadership and volunteerism in ensuring the resources and information 
are available to everyone in the Central Coast. I ask all Members to 
join me today in honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th 
Congressional District, Rosalyn Rivera.

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