[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19871-19872]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF MS. IRIS LIZZETTE VELEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                  in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 14, 2017

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Iris Lizzette Velez 
for her service to my office and the constituents of California's 
Twenty First Congressional District of California over the past year.
  Iris Velez was born on April 3, 1960 in the beach town of Guanica, 
Puerto Rico to Iris Lucia Santana Colon and Felix Gilberto Velez 
Quinones. Both high school teachers, her parents instilled in Iris the 
importance and love of learning at a young age. Iris and her three 
siblings spent most of their time feeding animals, harvesting crops, 
and fishing on their grandparents' farm in San German, Puerto Rico. It 
was during this time that Iris developed a true love and respect for 
nature.
  After spending her youth in Puerto Rico and completing her high 
school education at the age of sixteen, Ms. Velez attended the 
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, where she received a 
Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science and Government. Following the 
completion of her undergraduate studies, Ms. Velez went on to complete 
two Master's degrees--the first in Political Science at Tulane 
University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the second in Public 
Relations at Sacred Heart University in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

[[Page 19872]]

  In 1980, Iris began her eight-year teaching career as a Professor of 
Political Science at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico 
but, in 1988, she was able to combine her passions of nature, political 
science, and public affairs while serving as the Public Affairs 
Specialist for the National Park Service at the San Juan National 
Historic Site. After two years of service, Ms. Velez moved on to work 
for the United States Forest Service first as a Public Affairs 
Specialist and later as Program Manager.
  In February of 2017, Ms. Velez accepted a Congressional Fellowship in 
my Washington, D.C. office through the Brookings Institution. During 
her time in my office, Iris was a vital member of my team having 
handled legislative issues relating to natural resources, forestry, and 
energy policy. Iris was also instrumental in organizing constituent 
outreach programs to teach fire safety to the people of the 
California's Twenty First Congressional District. Outside of work, Iris 
enjoys meeting new people, exploring different places, and attending 
live musical performances.
  On December 15, 2017, Ms. Velez's time in my office will come to an 
end as she moves on to continue her dedication to public service. While 
I know she is very excited about her upcoming journey, she will be 
greatly missed as a member of my team.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in commending Iris Lizzette Velez for her 
public service to the people of California's Central Valley and wishing 
her well as she begins the next chapter of her life.

                          ____________________