SACRAMENTO - In a special floor ceremony today at the state capitol, Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) honored Maria Carrazco as the 2007 "Woman of the Year" for the 50th Assembly District.  The ceremony is held annually in Sacramento to recognize women that have made significant contributions to their communities.

Maria Carrazco, of Bell Gardens, became a neighborhood hero on January 29, 2007 when a fire broke out in the middle of the night in the mobile park in which she resides.  She ran door to door waking her neighbors that were sleeping and unaware of the fire.  When one of her neighbors began suffering from smoke inhalation, she assisted the woman and her 11 year old daughter exit their home.  Although there were no fatalities, three mobile homes were destroyed.

"Maria Carrazco showed true heroism by her quick actions in warning her neighbors of the fire," said De La Torre.  "Maria's actions are a reminder that we may all find ourselves in situations in which we must act quickly to help those around us.  She did not hesitate and for that, she should be commended," added De La Torre. 

During the Assembly floor session all of the honored women were recognized and given a certificate by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez.  After session, the honorees attended a  reception hosted by the Legislative Women's Caucus.

In addition to the ceremony in the State Capitol, Assemblymember De La Torre will host his local "Women of Courage" event on March 22, 2007 at the Rio Hondo Event Center.   The event will honor other local women leaders from each of the communities within the 50th Assembly District, Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Commerce, Downey, Florence-Graham, Lynwood, South Gate, and Walnut Park.