[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OF YAHARA LISA GUTIERREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERONICA ESCOBAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 6, 2024

  Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the remarkable career of 
Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez, a trailblazer in the legal community of El 
Paso County.
  Born in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, Judge Gutierrez's story is one of 
courage, resilience and determination. She earned her Bachelor of 
Business Administration in 1991 from the University of Texas Permian 
Basin and her Juris Doctor in 1994 from Texas Tech University, becoming 
a distinguished member of the legal profession.
  Since taking the bench in 2009, Judge Gutierrez has been a 
transformative force in El Paso County's judicial system. She has 
presided over cases involving child abuse and juvenile delinquency with 
a deep sense of responsibility and compassion. Her leadership has 
driven innovative reforms, including the establishment of the County's 
first Protective Order Court, Children's Cross-Over Court, and the 
first Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Court in Texas. These specialized 
courts reflect her commitment to addressing complex social issues with 
empathy and effectiveness, ensuring that justice serves to protect and 
uplift.
  Beyond the courtroom, Judge Gutierrez has devoted herself to 
community service. As a member of the Texas Children's Commission and 
the El Paso Women's Bar Association, and as a founding member of the El 
Paso Project Future internship program for aged-out foster youth, she 
has worked to empower and support others. Her accolades, including the 
Foster Parent Association's Judge of the Year Award, the Honorable Sam 
Paxon Outstanding Jurist Award, and the Trailblazer of the Year Award, 
highlight her contributions to the legal profession and our community.
  Today, it is my privilege to honor Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez for 
her exemplary service, leadership, and dedication to our community, and 
wish her and her family the best upon her retirement.

                          ____________________