HR0177 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0177 LRB103 31705 MST 60259 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, During Women's History Month, the members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Mireya Vera Mendoza for her impact on Latino equity and language access in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Mireya Vera Mendoza was born on July 27, 1956; she graduated from Kelly High School in 1974; she attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and obtained her bachelor's degree in bilingual education in 1978; she later earned her Master of Health Services Administration (MHA) from National Louis University in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Mireya Vera Mendoza worked diligently as a staunch advocate for language access and equity for limited English speakers across the State and for creating standards for interpretation and translation, making a significant impact through her work in the community, in the schools, and in the hospitals she served; and

WHEREAS, Mireya Vera Mendoza left an indelible mark on language rights for our State, including being a contributing author on the standards of interpretation in educational and health settings, creating the Language Access Resource Center in DuPage, facilitating the City Colleges of Chicago Medical Interpreter Training Program, developing the medical interpretation curriculum for Illinois, and directing medical interpretation and translation programs at Mt. Sinai Hospital, West Lake Hospital, Presence Health, and Holy Cross Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Mireya Vera Mendoza and her colleague, Linda Coronado, were pioneers in creating high standards for interpretation and translation and championing language rights to remove barriers in access to health, education, and social services, and they authored the first language access statute in the State of Illinois, which has served as a model across the nation; and

WHEREAS, Mireya Vera Mendoza was active on several boards throughout her career, including Mujeres Latinas en Acción, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education, the DuPage Federation for Human Services Reform, The Little Village chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Benito Juarez High School Vocational Advisory Board, and the Healthcare Task Force under Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya of the 7th District, and, most recently, she was elected to serve on the Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board; further, she served as co-chair of the Melrose Park Illinois Welcoming Center and was founder of its Parent University; and

WHEREAS, Mireya Vera Mendoza brightened every room with her love for her community and passion for language access and stayed connected to her roots throughout her life; she became an excellent cook of traditional Mexican cuisine and was passionate about Latin music, which she expressed through dancing; and

WHEREAS, Mireya Vera Mendoza passed away on December 14, 2022; she was the wife of Raymond Mendoza Jr. for 38 years; the mother of Joaquin (Carina) Vera, Hector Mendoza, and Esteban (fiancée, Alexandra) Mendoza; the grandmother of Arianna; the daughter of Argelia and the late Anthony Vera; the sister of Darlene (Jose) Mendez, Carmen (David Ruiz) Vera, and Paul (Alexandra) Vera; the aunt of many nieces and nephews; and the daughter-in-law of Catalina Mendoza; and

WHEREAS, Mireya Vera Mendoza's legacy continues today during the 103rd General Assembly as we enact legislation that incorporates standards for medically qualified interpretation and that establishes a statewide language equity and access policy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Mireya Vera Mendoza's legacy as a champion for interpretation standards and language access in our State, and we mourn her passing and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mireya Vera Mendoza as an expression of our gratitude for her contributions to language rights in the State of Illinois and our deepest sympathy.