Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-01-07

RECOGNIZING SISTER MARY JESUS OCHOA ON HER CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY

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Context

On 2026-01-07, Representative Luz M. Rivas (D-CA-29) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING SISTER MARY JESUS OCHOA ON HER CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes, the environment.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING SISTER MARY JESUS OCHOA ON HER CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026)] [House] [Page H106] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING SISTER MARY JESUS OCHOA ON HER CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY (Ms. Rivas of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Mary Jesus Ochoa of the Order of St. Francis in San Fernando. This week, she celebrated her 100th birthday. Sister Mary Jesus is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who entered religious life in the 1940s. She has spent decades supporting our most vulnerable across the San Fernando Valley and in Mexico. During her service, she worked with children and families in need, emphasizing care, stability, and long-term support. Sister Mary Jesus played a key leadership role at the Poverello of Assisi Retreat House in San Fernando. There, she helped provide retreat services, community support, and housing for young women and children. When earthquakes caused major damage to the retreat house and the surrounding buildings, Sister Mary Jesus led the rebuilding efforts to make sure that services were not interrupted for those who need it the most. Sister Mary Jesus' work reflects steady leadership, resilience in times of crisis, and a clear commitment to serving others with dignity and purpose. I wish Sister Mary Jesus a happy 100th birthday. The San Fernando Valley is grateful for her dedication to helping our community. Funding to Rebuild After Wildfires Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, here we are in the first voting week of 2026, and Republicans are bringing up bills on showerheads. They are not doing anything to address the affordability crisis, ICE terrorizing our communities, Trump's illegal and unconstitutional actions in Venezuela, or other states of emergency. They have not done so during this Congress, even during the Los Angeles wildfires, which broke out 1 year ago today. These fires destroyed 16,000 structures, displaced over 200,000 residents, and took 31 lives. The bravery of firefighters from across the country, who worked tirelessly to put out the fires and minimize damage, will not be forgotten. While the fires caused great destruction and devastation, the strength and resilience of our neighbors coming together for our communities were on full display. Mr. Speaker, 1 year later, communities across Los Angeles County are continuing to work toward rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. As communities work toward a return to normal times, we need to minimize the long-term health consequences that wildfire debris may have on communities, especially in communities like mine in the San Fernando Valley. My district is housing several disposal sites for wildfire debris. As debris is being transported and stored throughout the valley, I have been adamant about making sure that my constituents are not subjected to the long-term health effects that they have traditionally been forced to bear. Recovery from these wildfires asks us to look ahead to make sure that when natural disasters strike, everyone can be prepared to recover equally. This is a core tenet of environmental justice. We must invest in resources that allow communities and families to recover and rebuild their lives after disasters. This includes advocating for solutions that are informed by the voices of those who are most affected by climate disasters. Los Angeles has made progress in recovery, but we still have a long way to go. This is why my California Democratic Caucus colleagues and I are urging the Trump administration to deliver nearly $34 billion in disaster funding to help Californians recover. This includes funding that supports rebuilding homes and schools, restoring critical road and water systems, reopening small businesses, and helping communities achieve lasting wildfire resilience. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to push to make sure that residents in my district and across Los Angeles County have every Federal resource available to them to rebuild their lives. Let us continue to rebuild with equity, care, and courage so that our communities are safer, healthier, and more resilient for everyone. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING SISTER MARY JESUS OCHOA ON HER CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026)] [House] [Page H106] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING SISTER MARY JESUS OCHOA ON HER CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY (Ms. Rivas of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Mary Jesus Ochoa of the Order of St. Francis in San Fernando. This week, she celebrated her 100th birthday. Sister Mary Jesus is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who entered religious life in the 1940s. She has spent decades supporting our most vulnerable across the San Fernando Valley and in Mexico. During her service, she worked with children and families in need, emphasizing care, stability, and long-term support. Sister Mary Jesus played a key leadership role at the Poverello of Assisi Retreat House in San Fernando. There, she helped provide retreat services, community support, and housing for young women and children. When earthquakes caused major damage to the retreat house and the surrounding buildings, Sister Mary Jesus led the rebuilding efforts to make sure that services were not interrupted for those who need it the most. Sister Mary Jesus' work reflects steady leadership, resilience in times of crisis, and a clear commitment to serving others with dignity and purpose. I wish Sister Mary Jesus a happy 100th birthday. The San Fernando Valley is grateful for her dedication to helping our community. Funding to Rebuild After Wildfires Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, here we are in the first voting week of 2026, and Republicans are bringing up bills on showerheads. They are not doing anything to address the affordability crisis, ICE terrorizing our communities, Trump's illegal and unconstitutional actions in Venezuela, or other states of emergency. They have not done so during this Congress, even during the Los Angeles wildfires, which broke out 1 year ago today. These fires destroyed 16,000 structures, displaced over 200,000 residents, and took 31 lives. The bravery of firefighters from across the country, who worked tirelessly to put out the fires and minimize damage, will not be forgotten. While the fires caused great destruction and devastation, the strength and resilience of our neighbors coming together for our communities were on full display. Mr. Speaker, 1 year later, communities across Los Angeles County are continuing to work toward rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. As communities work toward a return to normal times, we need to minimize the long-term health consequences that wildfire debris may have on communities, especially in communities like mine in the San Fernando Valley. My district is housing several disposal sites for wildfire debris. As debris is being transported and stored throughout the valley, I have been adamant about making sure that my constituents are not subjected to the long-term health effects that they have traditionally been forced to bear. Recovery from these wildfires asks us to look ahead to make sure that when natural disasters strike, everyone can be prepared to recover equally. This is a core tenet of environmental justice. We must invest in resources that allow communities and families to recover and rebuild their lives after disasters. This includes advocating for solutions that are informed by the voices of those who are most affected by climate disasters. Los Angeles has made progress in recovery, but we still have a long way to go. This is why my California Democratic Caucus colleagues and I are urging the Trump administration to deliver nearly $34 billion in disaster funding to help Californians recover. This includes funding that supports rebuilding homes and schools, restoring critical road and water systems, reopening small businesses, and helping communities achieve lasting wildfire resilience. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to push to make sure that residents in my district and across Los Angeles County have every Federal resource available to them to rebuild their lives. Let us continue to rebuild with equity, care, and courage so that our communities are safer, healthier, and more resilient for everyone. ____________________