[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    HONORING EDWIN TORRES DeSANTIAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2024

  Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the exceptional 
achievements of Edwin Torres DeSantiago, who will soon begin his 
doctoral program in Public Affairs as the University of Minnesota 
Humphrey School's first DACA recipient.
  Edwin arrived in the United States from El Salvador at eight years 
old. Despite early academic success, Edwin did not believe that he 
could get a college education in the United States due to his status as 
an undocumented immigrant. However, when the Obama Administration 
established the DACA program, he then had the opportunity to attend 
Saint John's University in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, where he excelled 
in academics and earned many University-wide awards. During his college 
education and beyond, he has been a tireless advocate for first 
generation and Latine students, leading to an appointment to his alma 
mater's Board of Trustees in 2023. His advocacy for our community 
members is not limited to students, throughout his life Edwin has 
championed countless progressive leaders and policies that have 
improved the lives of so many Minnesotans. Admirably, Edwin recently 
earned his master's degree in public affairs from the Humphrey School 
while continuing his career and extensive community service.
  Edwin will now embark on the years-long journey of earning a doctoral 
degree in Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Humphrey 
School, where his exceptional achievements and demonstrated investment 
in the community earned him a full-ride scholarship. Beyond his 
admission to the program and tremendous scholarship, Edwin's status as 
the Humphrey School's first DACA recipient to attend the program makes 
this achievement duly commendable.
  Edwin's acceptance to the Humphrey School is a testament to his 
decades of hard work and leadership. I am so proud to call him a 
Minnesotan and recognize that Dreamers like Edwin make our state, and 
our country, a better place. I have no doubt that Edwin will be 
successful as a doctoral student and look forward to the continued 
positive change he will bring to our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Edwin 
for his incredible accomplishment and wishing him luck as he starts 
this new chapter.

                          ____________________