Joseph D. Morelle

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic American Heritage Month to recognize an extraordinary community leader and advocate from Rochester, New York: Maria Delgado.

Maria is a co-founder of Latinos Unidos Contra Cancer at Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester, where she has helped build a vital network of support for Spanish-speaking individuals and families affected by cancer.

Through outreach across Rochester and surrounding rural communities, Maria has worked to ensure that language or geography never stand in the way of people receiving the information, resources, and support they need. Her efforts have helped raise awareness, expand access to cancer screenings, and connect thousands of people with a community ready to stand beside them.

Maria's work is rooted in a profound commitment to others. She understands that confronting cancer can be frightening and isolating, and she has dedicated herself to making sure families facing those difficult moments know they are not alone.

Through compassion and action, Maria has helped create a stronger, more supportive community for people navigating some of life's greatest challenges.

It is my great privilege to recognize Maria Delgado during Hispanic American Heritage Month. Her dedication, compassion, and service represent the very best of Rochester, and I thank her for the countless lives she continues to touch.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic American Heritage Month to recognize an extraordinary community leader and advocate from Rochester, New York: Ivette Torres.

Ivette is a co-founder of Latinos Unidos Contra Cancer at Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester, where she has helped create a place for Spanish-speaking individuals and families affected by cancer to find support, understanding, and community.

For Ivette, this mission is deeply personal. As someone living with cancer herself, she understands firsthand the fear and uncertainty that can accompany a diagnosis, and the difference it makes to know you do not have to face it alone.

Ivette has transformed her own experience into a source of strength for others. Through outreach across Rochester and surrounding rural communities, she has helped connect people with critical information and resources, raise awareness, and expand access to cancer screenings.

Her courage is matched by her compassion. Even while facing her own battle with cancer, Ivette continues to stand beside others confronting the disease, helping ensure they are seen, supported, and surrounded by community.

It is my great privilege to recognize my dear friend Ivette Torres during Hispanic American Heritage Month. Her courage, resilience, and commitment to others represent the very best of Rochester, and I thank her for the countless lives she continues to touch.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic American Heritage Month to recognize a dedicated public servant and labor leader from Rochester, New York: Eddie Santiago.

For 30 years, Eddie served the people of Rochester as a member of the Rochester Fire Department, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Throughout his career, he demonstrated the courage, discipline, and commitment to others that define the firefighting profession.

But Eddie's service has never stopped at the firehouse door.

Beginning in 2015, he served as President of IAFF Local 1071, representing nearly 500 Rochester firefighters and becoming a trusted advocate for the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our community safe.

In 2023, Eddie took on an even broader responsibility as First District Vice President of the New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association, representing 28 IAFF unions across eight counties in Western New York.

His colleagues once again placed their trust in him when he was selected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association, the first member of the Rochester Fire Department to serve in a statewide leadership role with the organization.

It is my great privilege to recognize my great friend Eddie Santiago during Hispanic American Heritage Month. His decades of service, leadership, and advocacy have made Rochester stronger, and I thank him for his enduring commitment to the people and firefighters he has so proudly represented.