HONORING MARICARMEN REYES LARIOS

HONORING MARICARMEN REYES LARIOS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E270] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MARICARMEN REYES LARIOS ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maricarmen Reyes Larios. I have named Ms. Reyes Larios as the California 4th Congressional District's Woman of the Year for Sonoma County. This honor recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 4th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Services. Ms. Reyes Larios was born in Sonoma, California, to Mexican immigrant parents, Francisco Reyes Torres and Maria Larios Abrica. She earned her bachelor's degree in Chicano and Latino Studies from Sonoma State University in 2005. Later, Maricarmen completed a Community Health Worker Certificate at City College of San Francisco in 2025. Ms. Reyes Larios has dedicated her life to suicide prevention following the tragic passing of her nephew in 2021 and currently serves as a mentor and tutor to further assist the youth of our valley. She is a member of the Sonoma County Suicide Prevention Coalition and works as the Outreach and Event Coordinator at Sonoma Valley Community Health Center. She also serves in several community leadership roles, including Board Member for KSVY Sonoma TV, Board Member for RISK Sonoma, and Board Member for the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. She also chairs Sonoma County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and the Springs Municipal Advisory Council, contributes to the Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund Grants Committee, and is an active member of the Lideres Campesinas Sonoma Chapter, and the Sonoma County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Within our community, Ms. Reyes Larios is known for her empathy, integrity, and deep commitment to community well-being. She leads with compassion and cultural humility, creating spaces where people feel seen, respected, and supported. Rooted in her heritage and driven by service, she is a collaborative leader who uplifts others, builds strong relationships, and inspires collective action across Sonoma Valley. Ms. Reyes Larios was selected as the Grand Marshal of the 2022 Sonoma 4th of July Parade by the Sonoma Valley Fire Department. In 2023, she received the Puente y Ganas Award from Los Cien for her leadership and community impact. She was honored with the Louis Petreka Legacy Award in 2026 by the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management, and in that same year was named Woman of the Year for Assembly District 4 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Reyes Larios' passion, leadership, and determination have profoundly impacted our Sonoma County community. It is with great honor and deep appreciation that we recognize her invaluable contributions here today. ____________________