Honoring immigrant educator

Full Title:
A resolution honoring the memory of Jereima "Jeri" Bustamante on the eighth anniversary of her passing.

Summary#

This Senate resolution honors the life of Jereima “Jeri” Bustamante on the eighth anniversary of her death. It is a formal, ceremonial statement by the Senate that does not change any law or create a government program. The resolution praises her life, offers condolences, and calls attention to a memorial scholarship in her name.

  • Main change: The Senate officially honors Jeri Bustamante and records condolences and recognition of her example.
  • Acknowledges: her immigration from Panama, education, work in communications, and service as a press secretary.
  • Encourages: recipients of the Jereima Bustamante Memorial Scholarship to continue her legacy.
  • Legal effect: The resolution is ceremonial and does not create legal rights, funding, or new government duties.
  • Timing: It marks the eighth anniversary of her passing on April 8, 2026.

What it means for you#

  • Family and friends: The resolution is a formal statement of sympathy and public recognition from the Senate.
  • Recipients of the scholarship: The Senate encourages them to carry on her legacy, but the resolution does not change the scholarship’s rules or funding.
  • General public: This is a public record that highlights Bustamante’s life and the scholarship; it may raise local awareness.
  • Federal government / taxpayers: There is no new federal program or legal change created by this resolution.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

  • The text does not authorize spending or create a federal program.
  • The resolution itself does not include a fiscal note or budget estimate.
  • Any small administrative or printing costs would be handled within normal Senate operations and are not estimated in the material provided.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill appears intended to honor Bustamante’s life and public service.
  • The resolution could be seen as recognizing a success story of an immigrant who worked to achieve education and a public-service role.
  • It highlights and may support public awareness of the Jereima Bustamante Memorial Scholarship.
  • As a symbolic act, it offers public condolences to her family and friends.

Opponents' View#

  • One concern is that the resolution is purely symbolic and does not provide funding or concrete support for the scholarship it mentions.
  • The bill does not explain any follow-up actions or how the Senate’s recognition will help scholarship recipients in practical terms.
  • It is unclear whether this use of Senate time is the best way to help the causes associated with Bustamante, if someone were to question legislative priorities.