[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 629]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MARY ANN RIOJAS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 13, 2009

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague from 
California Mr. Nunes to commend and congratulate Mary Ann Riojas upon 
being honored by ABC's reality show ``Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.'' 
Ms. Riojas and family were surprised by Ty Pennington and crew on 
January 8, 2009 at their home in central Fresno located on East 
Robinson, Fresno, CA, at the heart of the Central Valley.
  Ms. Riojas was born without legs and only one fully developed arm. As 
a child, Mary Ann was placed in foster care and grew up in an unstable 
household and poverty. Even though Mary Ann was no stranger to 
adversity her challenges continued after expanding her family with four 
children. In financial distress she turned to public assistance to keep 
her family afloat.
  Regardless of Mary Ann's disabilities and financial struggles she 
continued to live life to the fullest. Her vibrant determination led 
her to become the first in her family to earn a college degree when she 
graduated in 2002 from San Joaquin Valley College with an associate 
degree in Business Administration. She also obtained a drivers license 
in 2002 which gave her the ability to drive a special hand-controlled 
vehicle.
  Determined to excel, Mary Ann not only became an employee of Easter 
Seals but also served as a State and national Ambassador. She has 
traveled all over the country with the Easter Seals program, spreading 
her joy and enthusiasm for life. Mary Ann eventually switched jobs and 
decided to help others in her community and that is when she began 
working for the Fresno Housing Authority as a counselor to other 
families who are struggling with life's adversities.
  Mary Ann does not see herself as a person with disabilities. Mary Ann 
is a strong woman who has raised four children, Nichole 18, Victoria 
17, Angel 15, and Jessie 14, and she continues to inspire others on a 
daily basis. The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will forever change her 
life and make her home a better and more user friendly place for her to 
enjoy with her children.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mary Ann 
Riojas. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Riojas and her 
family many years of continued success.

                          ____________________