Over my lifetime, I have worn many hats: a young mother and wife learning to care for my new family, a non-traditional student working towards my GED and then towards my college degree in education, an activist working in politics and campaigns, and finally as and educator/mentor advocating for our young Latinos to go to college.

I have spent my lifetime serving my community, not just in Garden City where I have lived the majority of my life, but also statewide and even nationally. Through me, Latinos and immigrants have had a voice.  But as my voice begins to leave me and the Parkinson’s takes its toll, I charge you younger generations to take the reigns.  Become involved with community service and become civically engaged. 

The 2008 Presidential elections have brought much excitement and hope as new populations have begun to come out to voice their opinions and to vote.  Young and minority voters are engaging in the debates in record numbers.  I urge each of you to get involved if you are not already and to continue pushing your local, state and Congressional legislators to represent your community needs.  It is with your generations that our society can prosper.  Change is at our fingertips, but it depends on you and your participation in the political process.   The Hispanic- and the African American Affairs Commissions have set up events here at the Capitol that I urge you to participate in.  Go listen to the panels, but most importantly, go meet your representatives.  Use this opportunity to discuss the contributions that Latinos, African Americans, and other minorities make in our state and discuss with the legislators how they can best serve your communities. 

I am grateful to be recognized for my societal contributions and thank you all for being here with me to share this moment.  I hope that in the near future it is your face that I see and it is your voice that I hear accepting this award.  Here is one last quote from Cesar Chavez that I want to leave you all with:  “From the depth of need and despair, people can work together, can organize themselves to solve their own problems and fill their own needs with dignity and strength.”   Thank you and God bless you all.