Hilda Solis

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the proud contributions Mr. Cruz Baca and his decedents have made to the city of Baldwin Park. Mr. Baca was born in Mexico in 1874 and first arrived in Baldwin Park in 1906. In 1909 he returned to Mexico to retrieve his wife and children from the threat of revolution and bring them to Baldwin Park. In the spring of 1910 the Baca family finally settled near Francisquito Avenue in Baldwin Park following a long journey on foot through Texas and parts of Arizona. Mr. Baca was a prosperous farmer who harvested a variety of crops and raised cows to produce milk and cheese. Realizing a demand for the ingredients for tamales, Mr. Baca became the only supplier of those ingredients in the San Gabriel Valley. But Mr. Baca's legacy is not as a landowner or businessman, it is the humanity he demonstrated to his fellow man, neighbor, and community. Mr. Baca always lent a helping hand to those in need. During the Great Depression Mr. Baca provided food for the poor, he would park his wagon full of produce at Morgan Park to help feed the community. He also provided transportation to those in need with his horse and wagon, taking people as far as San Gabriel to attend services at the San Gabriel Mission. His efforts to improve the community are many, such as plowing and landscaping the land to develop Morgan Park for free and helping to plow his neighbors land when they were experiencing difficulties. Mr. Baca is also known for his selfless acts of heroism, single-handedly saving a family from a burning home and pulling his neighbors car out of the San Gabriel Valley River with his horse and wagon during a heavy rainstorm. Mr. Baca was a dedicated father, husband and citizen and his influence will be everlasting in the City of Baldwin Park. Mr. Baca's legacy continues also with the hundreds of decedents that continue to live, work, and raise families in the City of Baldwin Park.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of Dr. Raymund Paredes, the Associate Vice Chancellor at UCLA. Dr. Paredes opened the doors of opportunity for many students from Los Angeles County through his leadership, direction and execution of academic development programs. He has served not only as a professional role models for Latinos across the United States, but most importantly as a positive role model to the residents of the 31st Congressional District. He exemplifies how one person's commitment to public education can make tremendous changes towards improving our educational system. Raymund Paredes obtained his B.A., in English from the University of Texas at Austin, in 1964. He went on to earn his in M.A. American Studies at the University of Southern California, 1969, and returned to the University of Texas at Austin for his Ph.D. in American Civilization, in 1973. Dr. Paredes joined the faculty of UCLA's English Department in 1973. His research has focused on Mexican American literature and culture and the impact of demographic change on American culture, art, and education. A driving force in the emergence of Chicano studies as a discipline, he introduced Chicano literature courses to the UCLA curriculum and chaired the Cesar Chavez Center for Chicana/o Studies from 1997 until 1999. He also served as an Associate Dean in the Graduate Division, overseeing the graduate fellowships unit as well as affirmative action programs from 1986 to 1989. As Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Development since 1989, Raymund has been engaged in a broad range of activities encompassing K- 12 and community college outreach, faculty recruitment and retention, curricular development, promotion of cultural and academic events, and, most recently, establishment of Community Education Resource Centers in five Los Angeles neighborhoods. He also worked on outreach in his capacity as Special Assistant to UC President Richard Atkinson from 1998 to 2000. Dr. Paredes has long believed that by setting high expectations for students, they will eventually overcome their challenges. Dr. Paredes has been a strong advocate for the establishment of educational partnerships that lead to successful pipelines between high schools and four-year colleges, as well as between community colleges and Universities. He has played a most important role in outreaching to the most disenfranchised communities in the state of California. He has helped further the goals of the first successful summer academy for migrant students from California. Dr. Paredes has served as an appointed member to the Task Force on Latino Eligibility by the University of California from 1992-1997. He has also served as an appointed member of the Advisory Committee on Latino Education by the California State Department of Education, has served as an appointed member of the California Commission for the Establishment of Academic Content and Performance Standards, has served as the co-chair of the Committee on K-12 educational research for the Inter-University Program for Latino Research and currently he is a Consultant on education to the Univision television network. Dr. Paredes' true contributions to UCLA, the University of California, and the community at large far exceed the span of his myriad responsibilities. A champion of educational access, equity, and diversity, he has been a highly effective ambassador and leader on behalf of those causes. He has spearheaded landmark programs and forged relationships between the University and important local institutions-- vital bonds that will endure because of his commitment and persistence. Sadly, Dr. Paredes is leaving his position at UCLA, as he will be assuming the position of Director of Creativity, Culture and Arts Programs at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York. On behalf of the 31st Congressional District, I thank Dr. Paredes for your leadership, your service and most importantly for your commitment to improving the quality of life for students in the state of California.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the notable accomplishments and the extraordinary life of a woman from the 31st Congressional District of California. Louise Davis is retiring from serving over 20 years of public office in the San Gabriel Valley. Louise served as the mayor of Monterey Park for three terms, from 1980 to 1981 and again in 1983. Prior to her mayoral terms, she was elected as ``The Grass Roots Candidate,'' for Monterey Park City Council in 1976 where she served for eight years. She was a unique council member who spent her time directly addressing her constituents' problems and working to make Monterey Park a better place for all its residents. After a brief break from public life to enjoy her children and grandchildren, Louise accepted the encouragement from residents and ran for Monterey Park City treasurer in 1988. She served in this capacity for 12 years and was known for her sharp wisdom and good judgment. Louise was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, graduated from St. Angelea's Academy where she was class president and received a scholarship to pursue her college education in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the conclusion of World War II, she met Bill Davis and when he returned from the Navy, they were soon married. Louise and Bill Davis moved to Monterey Park in 1955 and raised seven children--all attended public schools. Louise became heavily involved with the PTA and the Mothers March of Dimes. She was appointed to the Community Relations Commission, where she worked to foster better ethnic relations in Monterey Park, a city known for its multicultural and diverse population. She served as the hostess of the City's Welcome Wagon in the 1960s, represented her community in the March of Dimes, served on the Monterey Park Boys and Girls Club Board, the President's Community Advisory Board of East Los Angeles College and the American Red Cross Board, San Gabriel Valley. She has also worked diligently to preserve the history of the City she served so well as President of the Monterey Park Historical Society. Louise has served as a charter member and president of Hillhaven Health Care Center's Community Advisory Board and a charter member and chairperson of the Friends of the Seniors, Langley Senior Center. Among her many honors, Louise was named, Woman of the Year by Soroptomist International, Monterey Park. She has been the recipient of the Most Valuable Citizens Award from the Monterey Park Boys and Girls Club, an Award of Merit from the Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Service Award from the Monterey Park Lions Club. Louise Davis enjoys respect and notoriety from numerous residents of Monterey Park because of her vast contributions to the community. It is both fitting and proper that we recognize this community leader for her exceptional record of civic leadership and invaluable public service. Mr. Speaker, I ask this 107th Congress to join me in recognizing the tireless, grass roots work of Louise Davis upon her retirement on March 8, 2001 for her service to the constituents of California's 31st District and wish her good health and prosperity in her retirement.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my dismay with the plan put forth by my Republican colleagues which would hurt our Nation's important minority-serving higher education institutions. This plan would remove Hispanic-serving institutions, historically black colleges and universities, and tribal colleges from the consideration of the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, which deals with higher education and, instead, places them in a select Committee on Education and the Workforce which deals with juvenile crime and child abuse. What kind of message are we sending when we exclude minority-serving institutions from our consideration of higher education? Why should schools like Cal State Los Angeles and East Los Angeles College located in my district be treated differently than any other college in our country? Two of my heroes in government were educated there in East Los Angeles College. I am talking about Gloria Molina, the first Latina ever elected as Los Angeles County Supervisor, and a former colleague, Congressman Esteban Torres, who was a Member of this body. Do we want to send a message that these schools and their graduates are somehow less than any other college or university? I do not think so. I urge Republicans to rethink this proposal and to send the right message; that, in the 21st century, all schools deserve a level playing field.

Mrs. SOLIS

Mrs. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, Jean Carpenter opened the doors of opportunity for the children of Baldwin Park through her ``learning to read'' programs. She served as a positive role model to the residents of the 31st Congressional District. She is an example of how one person's perseverance can make tremendous changes to improve our educational system. Sadly, Jean Carpenter passed away this Monday, February 12, 2001 at the age of 58. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 which later resurfaced in 1996. An active school board member since 1995, she helped establish reading programs as a way to help children obtain a brighter future. These innovative reading programs that were implemented by the school board significantly improved student test scores in Baldwin Park. Jean believed that by setting high expectations for each student, this would consequently lead to higher school retention, less drop-out rates, and better preparation to enter the workforce. She was ahead of her time, advocating reduction in class sizes, initiating a drive to obtain $4.3 million for computer and technology equipment for local schools, and helping to pass a $15 million school bond to remodel and improve old school buildings. She also began the ``Mother and Daughter Program'' to involve parents in their children's education. Jean believed that parent participation would motivate students to excel academically so that they could attain a college education. She was bestowed with many awards, including: the 1998 57th Assembly District Woman of the Year and the 1999 Baldwin Park Citizen of the Year. In the year 2000, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). Jean was honored with these awards due to her leadership and commitment to improving the educational system in Baldwin Park. To her friends and family, she was a fighter. Even during her struggle with cancer, she continued to serve on the school board and participated in many community activities. Jean Carpenter obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College and a Masters in Education from City College of New York. Carpenter is survived by her husband Leroy, her son Michael, and two grandchildren. We must continue to share the legacy that Jean Carpenter left for us to admire and to replicate in order to improve the educational system nationwide.

Ms. SOLIS

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 15. A few weeks ago, Mr. Speaker, we heard of a devastating earthquake also in El Salvador. Here we go again, another earthquake that has profoundly affected the citizens of India. As a former representative of the State of California, I had the privilege of working with the Indo-American community in the State of California to help establish a trade office there. I know that these individuals, both there and abroad, their families right now deserve our utmost support and sympathy, and particularly any humanitarian aids that we might provide. I stand here before my colleagues, as a California representative, asking for full support and effort on behalf of our country for those mostly affected in the great country of India.