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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING MR. RICHARD FIMBRES AND MRS. MARY FIMBRES
______
HON. ANN KIRKPATRICK
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Monday, April 8, 2019
Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize
two special individuals, Mr. Richard Fimbres and Mrs. Mary Fimbres, for
their three decades of work and commitment to bettering the lives of
local youth. In response to their concerns about the state of education
in their community, Richard and Mary Fimbres helped to found the LULAC
Youth Leadership Conference, a program that promotes and develops
leadership in middle and high school students.
With the cooperation and involvement of local public, private, and
charter schools, as well as institutions of higher learning, the LULAC
Youth Leadership Conference has become a nationally recognized program
that assists students with resources, mentoring, and leadership skills,
thereby equipping them with the necessary tools to help them remain in
school, graduate, and further their education.
For 29 years, Richard and Mary Fimbres have worked to build and grow
the conference, and to date, it has hosted over 118,000 participants.
Over the years, these participants have gained invaluable experience
thanks to the conference, including attending a Resource Fair where
they can discover high-paying careers that will enable them to make a
difference by creating the social and technological advancements that
will define the future of our world. The fair also gives them access to
health, educational, and life resources and features a strong public
safety component with law enforcement, fire, and medical emergency
professionals who display the latest vehicles, technologies and
equipment in their fields. Additionally, the fair offers 30 interactive
workshops that focus on leadership, health, culture, issues affecting
teens, student resources, and technology. Professionals from various
fields are present to provide information about community resources and
ways to access them, as well as offering information about their career
paths. It should also be noted that, thanks to Richard and Mary Fimbres
and local school systems, students are provided secure transportation
to and from the conference.
The LULAC Youth Leadership Conference has been nationally recognized
by former First Ladies Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton, as well as
Louis Caldera, former Secretary of the Army, and Lauro Cavazos, former
Secretary of Education. In tandem with the Youth Leadership Conference,
Richard and Mary Fimbres also formed the LULAC Educator's Awards and
Scholarship Banquet, which honors educators, community leaders, and
elected officials for their work on improving the lives of youth and
the community, as well as raises funds to go toward educational
scholarships.
Mr. and Mrs. Fimbres' standing as community leaders is evident in
their commitment and countless hours of work throughout the community
over the past three decades. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in
recognizing these outstanding citizens and exemplary leaders for their
work and dedication to improving the lives of our young people.
____________________
