[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF MARGARITA GONZALEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 23, 2024

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and contributions of Margarita Gonzalez, a Tampa trailblazer and 
outspoken advocate for our diverse Hispanic community. Margarita served 
the City of Tampa for nearly 30 years as the City's first Hispanic 
community liaison and in other important roles Margarita was a beloved 
champion for Tampa's Hispanic families and small business owners, and 
she leaves behind a vibrant legacy that will support Tampenos for 
decades to come.
  Margarita and her family fled Cuba and arrived in Florida on July 4, 
1966. At age 12, she was one of the first Cuban refugee students in the 
Hillsborough County Schools. She always knew the importance of 
education, and despite not knowing any English, she was motivated to 
work hard, learn English and get involved in school activities.
  After graduating from Leto High School, Margarita began working on 
her bachelor's degree at Hillsborough Community College. For the next 
13 years, Margarita attended college classes while juggling full-time 
jobs. She never gave up on her studies because she personally 
understood the irreplaceable value of an education. ``After losing 
everything, I realized that a person's biggest asset is their 
education,'' said Gonzalez. ``Knowledge and skills cannot be taken away 
from you.''
  She worked for the Tampa Port Authority and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber 
of Commerce and continued her education by completing a bachelor's 
degree in public relations and communications from the University of 
South Florida. In 1987, Margarita began working for the City of Tampa 
and Mayor Sandy Freedman, doing community relations and interpretation 
work. Margarita saw a need for Hispanic members of the community to 
learn about the opportunities and services the city provided. It was 
then that Margarita began producing and hosting two Hispanic television 
shows, Nuestra Tampa and Community Affairs Report.
  Throughout her nearly 30 years of service to the City of Tampa, 
Margarita's responsibilities included community relations, 
communications, coordinating the Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Council, 
establishing the city's International Affairs Office, and as a human 
rights investigator, which is important to support a diverse, 
respectful and inclusive community for our neighbors, families and 
businesses. While serving our City, Margarita established the Mayor's 
Hispanic Heritage Committee, which is committed to preserving and 
celebrating Tampa's vibrant Hispanic culture. Margarita also ensured 
that part of Hispanic Heritage Committee's work is to provide mentoring 
and scholarship programs to local students.
  Margarita won many awards for her service work, including Hispanic 
Woman of the Year by Tampa Hispanic Heritage, the 2019 Latina Lideres 
Award by the Latin Times, the 2023 Hillsborough County Women's Hall of 
Fame inductee, and the 2021 Tampa Bay Lightning Hero award, among many 
others. She was the first Hispanic woman to serve as a member of the 
Superbowl Task Force in 1991 and chairperson of the Tampa Hillsborough 
County Youth Council.
  Margarita made it her life's work to ensure that students in need 
were supported. She was a founding member of the Hispanic Professional 
Women's Association (HPWA) and Foundation (HPWF) and served on the 
boards of many other community service organizations. Through the HPWF 
and the donation of $50,000 she received as a Tampa Bay Lightning 
Community Hero Award recipient, Margarita established The Margarita 
Gonzalez HPWF Latino Endowed Scholarship, her own endowment at USF for 
local high-achieving, Spanish-speaking students with demonstrated need. 
Margarita was able to attend college herself because of scholarships, 
and she said it was ``a dream come true'' to be able to give back in 
this way Margarita hoped that supporting future generations would 
inspire them to support others as well.
  Margarita was a truly selfless and charitable leader. She also was a 
devoted daughter and loving caretaker to her mother, Angela Elba 
Gonzalez. Margarita's legacy will continue to live through her mother, 
her sister Elba Cruz and husband Hiram and her nephew and godson 
Michael Cruz, his wife Rebecca and their two daughters.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors across the Tampa Bay area and 
the citizens of Florida, I am proud to honor Margarita Gonzalez for her 
lifelong dedication to education and service. It is selfless community 
servants like Margarita that make Tampa the welcoming and generous 
place it is today. Our community is eternally grateful for her immense 
contributions. I trust that Margarita Gonzalez's legacy will inspire 
others to serve their neighbors and live the American Dream.

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