[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1312]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MARY ANN RIOJAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with my 
colleagues, Representative Jim Costa and Representative Devin Nunes, to 
commend and congratulate Mary Ann Riojas upon being selected by ABC's 
reality television show, ``Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.'' Ms. Riojas 
and her family were surprised by Ty Pennington and his crew on January 
8, 2009 at their home in Fresno, CA.
  Mary Ann Riojas was born without legs and with only one fully 
developed arm. As a child, Ms. Riojas was placed into the foster care 
system, and was faced with an unstable home life. She began to gain her 
independence when she was introduced into the Easter Seals program and 
they provided her with her first wheelchair. With this wheelchair she 
was able to attend Easter Seals Camp Harmon in the Santa Cruz 
Mountains. At Camp Harmon she learned how to swim and was able to 
participate in camp activities. The summer camp program provided her an 
opportunity to meet new people, try new things and continue to gain her 
independence.
  As a young adult, Ms. Riojas decided to stay at home and raise her 
four children. For a short time she was receiving public assistance to 
keep her family afloat. In spite of her disabilities, and financial 
struggle, she was determined to become the first in her family to earn 
a college degree; she graduated in 2002 from San Joaquin Valley College 
with an Associate of Arts degree in business administration. To further 
her independence, she obtained her drivers license, and with the 
assistance of Easter Seals, she purchased her first fully-equipped, 
hand-controlled vehicle.
  When she was unable to find a job because of her disabilities, Ms. 
Riojas became an employee of Easter Seals. Her first job was as the 
office manager at the Child Development Center at Children's Hospital 
Central California. In 2005, she became the National Ambassador for 
Easter Seals and travelled all over the country spreading her joy and 
enthusiasm for life. Ms. Riojas eventually changed jobs, and in 2006, 
she began working for the Fresno Housing Authority as a counselor. This 
position has allowed her to assist families in her community that are 
facing housing and financial problems.
  Ms. Riojas does not see herself as disabled, but rather as a mother 
and an advocate for those with special needs. She is a strong woman who 
has raised four children; Nichole, Victoria, Angel and Jessie. She 
continues to inspire others on a daily basis. Being selected for the 
show is a tribute to Ms. Riojas' dedication to her community and 
personal commitment to overcome all of life's adversities.
  Madam Speaker, we rise today to commend and congratulate Mary Ann 
Riojas upon being selected for the ABC reality show ``Extreme Makeover: 
Home Edition.'' I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Riojas 
and her family many years of happiness and success.

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