Floor SpeechUrgent2026-10-05

HONORING EL BUEN SAMARITANO'S 35 YEARS OF SERVING WORCESTER

Healthcare

Context

On 2026-10-05, Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA-2) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING EL BUEN SAMARITANO'S 35 YEARS OF SERVING WORCESTER" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING EL BUEN SAMARITANO'S 35 YEARS OF SERVING WORCESTER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1025] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING EL BUEN SAMARITANO'S 35 YEARS OF SERVING WORCESTER ______ HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN of massachusetts in the house of representatives Monday, October 5, 2026 Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, this year, El Buen Samaritano Food Program is celebrating 35 years of serving Worcester, Massachusetts, as a key leader in the fight to end hunger and build a more resilient community. El Buen Samaritano was founded in 1991 by Maria and Osiris Reyes, two incredible anti-hunger champions who wanted their neighbors to have enough to eat. They established a food pantry to provide members of our community with access to emergency food when times are tough. Thirty- five years later, the food pantry continues to provide families, seniors, and all people facing food insecurity with weekly access to nutritious food. But EBS is so much more than a food pantry; they offer comprehensive support services to provide people with clothing, job opportunities, and health care services. EBS also provides toys for kids to ensure everyone can have a happy holiday season. Maria and Osiris' passion for serving others inspired their daughter, Mari Gonzalez, to join the movement. Mari now serves as Executive Director of El Buen Samaritano Food Program, where she continues to provide families in Worcester with better access to basic needs. Mari has also become a leading voice in Worcester advocating for a world where all people thrive. El Buen Samaritano's work is rooted in love, compassion, and kindness. At the heart of EBS is the idea that every person should be treated with dignity. My wife Lisa and I have had the honor of volunteering with the incredible team at El Buen Samaritano, and their impact on the over 35,000 families who they have served is clear. Maria, Osiris, and Mari's decades of leadership have improved our city in unimaginable ways. I'm grateful for their tremendous contributions and look forward to continuing to partner with them as we fight for a future where the needs of all people are met and no person goes hungry. ____________________

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HONORING EL BUEN SAMARITANO'S 35 YEARS OF SERVING WORCESTER Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1025] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING EL BUEN SAMARITANO'S 35 YEARS OF SERVING WORCESTER ______ HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN of massachusetts in the house of representatives Monday, October 5, 2026 Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, this year, El Buen Samaritano Food Program is celebrating 35 years of serving Worcester, Massachusetts, as a key leader in the fight to end hunger and build a more resilient community. El Buen Samaritano was founded in 1991 by Maria and Osiris Reyes, two incredible anti-hunger champions who wanted their neighbors to have enough to eat. They established a food pantry to provide members of our community with access to emergency food when times are tough. Thirty- five years later, the food pantry continues to provide families, seniors, and all people facing food insecurity with weekly access to nutritious food. But EBS is so much more than a food pantry; they offer comprehensive support services to provide people with clothing, job opportunities, and health care services. EBS also provides toys for kids to ensure everyone can have a happy holiday season. Maria and Osiris' passion for serving others inspired their daughter, Mari Gonzalez, to join the movement. Mari now serves as Executive Director of El Buen Samaritano Food Program, where she continues to provide families in Worcester with better access to basic needs. Mari has also become a leading voice in Worcester advocating for a world where all people thrive. El Buen Samaritano's work is rooted in love, compassion, and kindness. At the heart of EBS is the idea that every person should be treated with dignity. My wife Lisa and I have had the honor of volunteering with the incredible team at El Buen Samaritano, and their impact on the over 35,000 families who they have served is clear. Maria, Osiris, and Mari's decades of leadership have improved our city in unimaginable ways. I'm grateful for their tremendous contributions and look forward to continuing to partner with them as we fight for a future where the needs of all people are met and no person goes hungry. ____________________