[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 7, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING MARIA JAYA'S RETIREMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2024

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maria Jaya's 
retirement and public service. Maria is a dedicated parent and 
community activist whose tireless efforts have profoundly impacted 
Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, and beyond. For nearly 30 years, Maria has 
been a driving force behind educational initiatives and community 
advocacy, leaving an unparalleled mark on the landscape of her 
neighborhood.
  Maria Jaya's journey as an activist began with a simple goal: to 
improve the educational opportunities for her children and those in her 
community. Unsatisfied with the status quo, Maria started organizing 
with fellow parents to address issues such as academic achievement, 
school safety, and overcrowding in local schools. Her early efforts 
laid the groundwork for lasting change and set her on a path of 
advocacy that would define her legacy.
  One of Maria's crowning achievements is the establishment of the 
Cypress Hills Community School/P.S. 89, a beacon of bilingual education 
and community engagement. Maria's vision and relentless advocacy were 
instrumental in creating this innovative dual-language public school in 
1997. Her work culminated in constructing a new school building, which 
opened its doors in 2010. The new building, equipped with state-of-the-
art facilities and a 50-50 Spanish/English dual language model, stands 
as a testament to Maria's unwavering dedication to educational 
excellence and community engagement. Through her leadership as Parent 
Co-Director for over 27 years, Maria cultivated a culture of 
collaboration and empowerment, ensuring that the voices of parents, 
educators, and students were heard and valued.
  Maria's advocacy extends beyond the classroom walls, encompassing 
broader community issues such as housing justice and immigrant rights. 
She mobilized her neighbors and fellow parents to demand better living 
conditions and to defend the rights of immigrants in Cypress Hills. 
Maria's commitment to social justice and equity was a guiding light for 
her community, inspiring others to join her in the fight for a better 
future for all.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Maria Jaya, a visionary 
leader, tireless advocate, and a devoted parent whose legacy will 
endure for generations to come. May she have a wonderful and fruitful 
retirement. She can now take a step back and admire the decades of work 
she leaves behind that has undoubtedly elevated the quality of life and 
education in Cypress Hills.

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