[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E10-E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING LORENA PACHIARDI

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. PABLO JOSE HERNANDEZ

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 7, 2026

  Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lorena 
Pachiardi, an extraordinary 11th-grade student from Cupeyville School 
in San Juan, Puerto Rico, who has been selected as the winner of the 
2025 Congressional App Challenge for Puerto Rico's At-Large 
Congressional District.
  Lorena developed GoldenCarePR, a thoughtful and innovative bilingual 
mobile application designed to support elderly individuals and their 
caregivers throughout Puerto Rico. Her app centralizes essential 
information on services, benefits, legal rights, digital safety, and 
health guidance, while also providing practical caregiving tools such 
as a task manager and a health tracker for vital signs and medications.
  Her project addresses one of the most pressing demographic challenges 
of our time. According to the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, the 
population aged 65 and older is now double the population under 15 
years old. This dramatic shift in our demographic structure reflects 
not only a global trend of population aging, but also a profound 
societal challenge in Puerto Rico--one marked by limited resources, 
insufficient services, and a lack of comprehensive programs to support 
our older adults.
  It is within this context that GoldenCarePR becomes more than an app; 
it becomes a powerful tool of compassion and public purpose. By 
identifying real gaps in information, services, and support for seniors 
and their families, Lorena created a platform that has the potential to 
meaningfully improve the quality of life of thousands across Puerto 
Rico.
  Mr. Speaker, Lorena's achievement embodies the very mission of the 
Congressional App Challenge: empowering young people to harness the 
power of technology to solve real problems and uplift their 
communities. Her innovation stands as an inspiring example of how the 
next generation is already stepping forward to address Puerto Rico's 
most urgent needs, with knowledge and love.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lorena Pachiardi, 
the 2025 Congressional App Challenge winner for my district. Her 
talent, leadership, and compassion give us great hope for the future of 
Puerto Rico.

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