[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1970-E1971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO DOLLY RIVERA FOR 50 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

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                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 18, 1995

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Ms. 
Dolly Rivera. Ms. Rivera has given 50 years of volunteer service 

[[Page E 1971]]
to her community. Through the years, she has touched the lives of many 
with her involvement with groups such as the American Red Cross, Civil 
Defense, March of Dimes, United Way, Los Angeles County Parks and 
Recreation, Girl Scouts, Women of the Moose, and Parent Teacher 
Association.
  In 1945, Ms. Rivera joined the Parent Teacher Association [PTA] and 
begun her dedicated service as a volunteer. In the classroom of the 
Bassett Unified School District, in La Puente, CA, she touched the 
lives of many students. In 1962, Ms. Rivera was presented with the 
honorary service award for her work in establishing a dental health 
program for the children of the La Puente area.
  Ms. Rivera's leadership in the community has been demonstrated over 
the years in her service as president of the Erwin PTA, Bassett High 
School Parent Teacher Association, and her service as council president 
three times. In light of this leadership, Ms. Rivera was instrumental 
in implementing bilingual and multicultural programs for all students.
  Through the Women of the Moose, Ms. Rivera has worked to ensure that 
all students have the opportunity to finance their college education. 
Under Ms. Rivera's leadership the ``C'' scholarship was established to 
provide for this need. Concerned for the safety of our children, in 
1980 Ms. Rivera organized Operation Stay in School for Bassett Unified 
School District. This program addressed the safety concerns of our 
schools, by enforcing a closed campus. Parents were utilized in 
supervision of lunch periods and the campus gates. Organizing the 
efforts of parents, school board members, the superintendent, the 
sheriffs department and the city council of La Puente proved highly 
effective in deterring truancies, vandalism, and violence.
  Ms. Rivera has done many great things for her community. She has 
organized a fingerprinting program for the kindergarten students, 
operates a ``Clothes Closet,'' which benefits needy children and the 
homeless and collects food and donations to distribute to families in 
need. Ms. Rivera's compassion also has been extended to the senior 
citizens in her community. Every Thursday, for many years, Ms. Rivera 
has delivered food with care to bedridden seniors.
  For 27 years, Ms. Rivera also has provided volunteer work with the 
Girl Scouts of America. She has volunteered as a Girl Scout leader of 
two troops and has been the first and second vice-president of the El 
Monte/La Puente Council of Girl Scouts.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting this truly 
inspirational American and a fine citizen, whose community service 
provides an example to all.

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