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[Page H3138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING VICTORIA MEJIAS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Victoria Mejias, a
leader from my district in Omaha, Nebraska, who has overcome the
physical impairments of multiple sclerosis, or MS, to help those in
desperate need, those who need to find new homes, new jobs, and new
schools in the wake of Hurricanes Maria, Sandy, and Katrina and the
tornados that rampaged Pilger, Nebraska, and Joplin, Missouri.
Victoria has been involved in missionary work for many years and has
always had an active interest in serving others in need. She found her
second calling by assisting disaster relief efforts and facilitating
the relocation of those most affected.
In 2017, Victoria found her work hitting closer to home than ever
before. Victoria, who is the daughter of a Puerto Rican family,
assisted in the relief efforts for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands when they were devastated by the powerful category 4 hurricane
which claimed an estimated 3,057 human lives and caused $91 billion
worth of damage.
She worked fervently alongside U.S. veteran Joel Ortiz to initiate a
relief project that would help relocate affected families to Omaha and
the surrounding areas. With her efforts, displaced families would have
a place to call their home away from home.
The result was the birth of an organization which Victoria is proud
to call her own, Heartland United for Puerto Rico. This organization
has assisted approximately 50 families in relocating to areas
throughout Nebraska and Iowa and continues to make influential impacts
in the lives of these individuals who lost nearly everything.
Unfortunately, much of Victoria's efforts have been slowed as she
continues her fight against the horrible impacts of MS. MS can be
treated through disease-modifying therapies which work to reduce the
frequency and severity of relapses, but they do not cure MS. In fact,
there is no known cure.
Multiple sclerosis attacks the immune system's healthy cells and
affects the ability of the central nervous system to control the
activities of the body.
In 2006, Victoria encountered her first difficulty with this disease
when she lost her balance and fell to the ground, having no feeling of
support from her legs beneath her. She was formally diagnosed with MS
in 2016.
The diagnosis, although challenging, gave her a sense of relief, as
she finally knew her experience was real and valid.
She continues to suffer from many effects of the disease, such as
broken legs and color blindness, and is no longer physically able to
have the same influence she once had, but Victoria has the motivation
to be a transformative leader within her community and does not let
this stop her.
When you meet Victoria, she will tell you that being self-aware of
your challenges is a strength, not a weakness.
What Victoria has accomplished in the lives of others is an
achievement difficult for many who do not suffer from any physical
limitations. Therefore, we should all draw inspiration from her
example, her determination, and her achievements, all while struggling
with the debilitating effects of MS.
May we all strive to be leaders in our communities, as Victoria has
and will continue to be.
Victoria, we salute you and pray for your strength. We pray for your
healing from this burdensome disease. Thank you for being such a great
example and inspiration to all of us.
____________________
