Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E737-E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING MICHELLE GARCILAZO
______
HON. JARED HUFFMAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, August 7, 2020
Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Michelle
Carmen Garcilazo for five years of exemplary service as an field
representative for California's 2nd Congressional District. As a valued
member of my staff, Michelle has been essential to my work in the
congressional district, and of special note, has helped thousands of my
constituents with complicated issues.
Michelle grew up in Sacramento, California. She earned a BA in
Spanish with a minor in Chicano Latino Studies from Sonoma State
University. She later obtained a Master's Degree in Public
Administration and a Certificate in Non Profits, also from Sonoma State
University. Michelle proceeded to work in the non-profit sector first
as a family advocate in Bay Area public schools, then with the San
Francisco-Marin Food Bank as a Senior Program Coordinator. In 2015
Michelle joined my staff as a Marin County field representative and
constituent caseworker. She excelled in this role, steadily developing
her skill set. In 2017 her responsibilities expanded to include
immigration casework services for the entire congressional district,
with a population of more
[[Page E738]]
than 720,000. In this capacity Michelle has been able to leverage her
college degrees and bilingual skills to help resolve complex problems
for many individuals in need.
Michelle is deeply principled, a hard worker, and an excellent team
player. She consistently took on challenges to serve others using her
intelligence, diplomacy, and empathy. Recently, Michelle served as the
only staffer supporting a congressional fact-finding visit, when I
traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border along with my colleague Congressman
Colin Allred. Michelle's language skills, subject matter knowledge, and
ability to build trust allowed us to communicate with individuals
seeking asylum in the United States. This firsthand experience provided
us with valuable insights on how the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-
Mexico border is impacting national security, and how the complexities
and ambiguities of immigration law, as well as changes in the law's
application, can affect families on both sides of the border. She has
worked on high-profile cases for my constituents, including complicated
immigration work for the Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian and
his family following his imprisonment in Iran.
Over the years; Michelle has developed a keen understanding of how
her casework informs my legislative agenda. She has worked with all
levels of government, non-profits, community groups, and businesses to
help address key local problems. She has become an integral member of
my district staff, and she will be sorely missed as she leaves us to
pursue law school. Madam Speaker, I hope you will join me and my staff
in extending to Michelle our deep appreciation for her many good deeds
and wishing her the best in all her future endeavors.
____________________
