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Floor Speech
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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lisa Diaz-McQuaid, whom I have named the 2022 Woman of the Year in Sonoma County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.
Ms. Diaz-McQuaid was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California. She is a survivor of human trafficking and has been committed to helping human trafficking victims. In 2018, Ms. Diaz-McQuaid co-founded the Redemption House of the Bay Area, a non-profit organization based in Sonoma County that helps victims of human trafficking reclaim their lives. Ms. Diaz-McQuaid is currently a student at Santa Rosa Junior College, working toward three associate degrees in human services, advocacy and addiction studies.
Ms. Diaz-McQuaid has dedicated her life to supporting human trafficking victims, She is a member of the Sonoma County Human Trafficking Task Force, an advocate in the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women movement, and the co-facilitator of the first peer-lead human trafficking victims support group in Sonoma County. Ms. Diaz-McQuaid is also a team leader of a monthly street outreach program that helps human trafficking victims leave their abusers.
Furthermore, Ms. Diaz-McQuaid participates in community activities that support at-risk youth and recovering addicts. She mentors youth survivors of human trafficking and works at the Girls Circle of Valley of the Moon, an emergency shelter center for children who are unsafe with their parents or guardians.
After graduating from Santa Rosa Junior College, Ms. Diaz-McQuaid hopes to transfer to Sonoma State University to earn a bachelor's degree in sociology and eventually earn a master's degree in social work. On top of being an outstanding community member and student, Ms. Diaz-Mctjuaid is a mother and grandmother. She has three adult children, Gabriella, Anthony and Josephine Hall, and five grandchildren, Maya, Carmello, Jayvion, Millianna, and Dream.
Madam Speaker, it is evident that Lisa Diaz-McQuaid has devoted her life to helping and supporting vulnerable individuals in our community. Therefore. it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.
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