[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO ADELANTE EAGLE AWARD RECIPIENT IRENE TOVAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2001

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Irene Tovar, a recipient of 
the 2001 Adelante Eagle Award.
  Adelante and the California Migrant Leadership Council is dedicated 
to empowering the Latino community in California by developing 
opportunities in education, economic development and the political 
process.
  The Adelante Eagle Award is presented annually to individuals who 
have made a commitment to California and have made positive 
contributions to the betterment of our community.
  Past Eagle Award recipients include Congressman Joe Baca, 
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Educators Mario Muniz, Carolyn and Jim 
Bartleson, Jim White, Business persons Mary Lou Gomez and Maria Dolores 
Andrade, just to name a few.
  Ms. Tovar is Executive Director of the Latin American Civic 
Association, an organization she co-founded in 1960. Since then Ms. 
Tovar has dedicated herself to empowering a strong Latino community. 
Her efforts have led to the establishment of various programs and 
services, which have provided a strong foundation for the advancement 
of Latinos not just in the San Fernando Valley but also throughout the 
State of California.
  Her commitment to community issues has resulted in the founding of 
the San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Legal Services and serving on 
various boards, task force and commissions. These have included serving 
on the State of California Public Employees Relations Board, the Los 
Angeles Mission College Community Advisory Board, Latino Advisory 
Committee to LAPD Chief Bernard Parks, Valley Economic Development 
Center, LAPD Police Commission Warren Christopher Commission Reform 
Task Force, SFV Hispanic--Jewish Women's Task Force, Rebuild L.A. Board 
of Directors, LAPD Foothill Division Community Advisory Board, State of 
California Advisory Commission on Compensatory Education.
  In 1975 Ms. Tovar was appointed by then Governor Edmund G. ``Jerry'' 
Brown Jr. to the California State Personnel Board where she served 
until 1981. Ms. Tovar was not only the first Chicana appointed to the 
board that required California State Senate confirmation, but she also 
served as President of this most important body. Recognizing Ms. 
Tovar's leadership abilities Governor Brown appointed her as his 
Special Assistant a position she held from 1978-1981. During her tenure 
Ms. Tovar was responsible for the identification and recommendation of 
Latinos for appointment to State Boards and Commissions. This included 
the recommendation and appointment of Cruz Reynoso as California 
Supreme Court Justice. Ms. Tovar was also responsible for the 
establishment of the Governor's Chicana Issues Conference first held in 
1980.
  Ms. Tovar's accomplishments have been recognized by various state and 
city agencies as well as community organizations. She has been the 
recipient of many honors and awards including the City of Los Angeles 
City Council Pioneering Woman Award, California State University, 
Northridge Distinguished Alumni Award, Comision Femenil's Woman of the 
Year, Los Angeles County Commission on the Status of Woman ``Woman of 
the Year'' Award, KLVE Feria de la Muier Outstanding Latina of the 
Year, L.A. Times ``Newsmaker for 1999'', Cal-State Northridge La Raza 
Alumni Association Outstanding Alumni Award, USC El Centro Chicano 
Cuauhtemoc Award, MALDEF Employment Award, U.S. Congressional 
Commendation, and the Los Angeles City Employees Chicano Association 
Recognition Award, just to name a few.
  For all she has done on behalf of the Latino community, we salute 
Irene Tovar.

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