John Garamendi

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maria del Rocio Martinez Luna as one of California's 8th Congressional District's Women of the Year. Maria is a dedicated community leader and longtime advocate for Richmond's 23rd Street corridor whose life reflects resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to service.

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Maria immigrated to the United States with her mother and sister and was raised in a single-parent household. She witnessed her mother work tirelessly to support their family while navigating the uncertainty of their immigration status. Despite these challenges, Maria remained committed to her education and, in 2009, became the first person in her family to graduate from high school. For the past 13 years, Maria has worked at Rigo's Auto Sales, where her dedication and leadership helped her become Secretary of the 23rd Street Merchants Association. In this role, she works closely with merchants, residents, community organizations, and public agencies to strengthen one of Richmond's most important cultural and commercial corridors. Maria helps organize major community events, including Richmond's annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, she has also assisted with immigration forums that provide residents with reliable information about their rights and available protections, drawing on her own experience to help immigrant families feel informed and supported. Her commitment extends to public safety. Maria works with local merchants, residents, the Richmond Police Department, and City partners to address traffic, speeding, pedestrian safety, parking, and other neighborhood concerns. Much of Maria's work takes place behind the scenes and her leadership strengthens businesses, supports immigrant families, and brings people together. On behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District, it is my pleasure to honor Maria del Rocio Martinez Luna for her outstanding contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Vanessa Magali Oden as one of California's 8th Congressional District's Women of the Year. The first Spanish-speaking administrator at Elite Public Schools in Vallejo, where she has served both as Vice Principal and Assistant Director of Multilingual Affairs, Reverend Oden has broken down many barriers to education for bilingual students. To ensure that every voice is heard, she has engaged extensively with students, their families, and the surrounding communities.

Reverend Oden has helped pave the way to academic success for many students through her efforts. Following the damage caused in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria, she and her ministry led water relief efforts for those impacted. They have assisted in many other crises, from providing aid to women and children in nations impacted by conflict to helping supplying food to displaced families on the border of Colombia and Venezuela. During the Pandemic, she also organized online counseling for women across the globe while also assisting during AIDS crises in Mexico, Uganda, and Rwanda.

A champion of service, Reverend Oden has spearheaded efforts to feed local unhoused individuals and families while emphasizing unity through multilingual outreach. Her work has improved the lives of many in Solano County, uplifting those most vulnerable and strengthening our communities. On behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District, it is my pleasure to honor and recognize Reverend Vanessa Magali Oden for her extraordinary commitment to education, humanitarian service, and uplifting vulnerable communities both at home and around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kathleen Grogan as one of California's 8th Congressional District's Women of the Year. Kathleen has made a profound impact in the Solano County community as a volunteer for the non-profit organization End 68 Hours of Hunger for more than five years.

Each week, she directs a group of volunteers to pack 500 bags of food for children from schools in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Dixon. Because of their hard work and her passionate leadership, the organization provided over 16,000 bags of food during the 2025 to 2026 school year. End 68 hours of Hunger addresses the roughly 68 hours between Friday's school lunch and Monday's school breakfast. The program is 100 percent volunteer based with 95 percent of the funds going directly to elementary school students in need. It is the only chapter in California and west of the Mississippi River.

In 2016, Kathleen visited three schools in Uganda, touching the lives of more than 1,500 children. She helped raise more than $5,000 for pumps that carry water from wells to

schools for cooking, bathing, and gardens that help feed students. In 2018, she raised another $5,000 for water sanitation systems, bringing safe drinking water to the schools and the local hospital.

Kathleen's leadership and generosity have fed children, brought clean water to communities, and inspired others to volunteer. On behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District, it is my pleasure to honor and recognize Kathleen Grogan for her extraordinary dedication to serving children and families, both in our local communities and around the world.