[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 150 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO VALERIE DOMBROWSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2002

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
distinguished life and career of a constituent and community leader, 
Redondo Beach School Board Member Valerie Dombrowski, who passed away 
on November 11, 2002.
  Valerie served the city of Redondo Beach as a dedicated school board 
member for twenty-five years. She was a tireless advocate for special 
and fine arts education. Among her accomplishments are the equalization 
of funding for girls' and boys' sports programs and the procurement of 
musical instruments for children who could not afford them.
  Her dedication served the students in the community while gaining her 
respect from others who were impressed by her resolve to fight for 
causes she thought worthy. As a woman who always spoke her mind and 
asked the tough questions, she was the voice of the teachers, parents, 
and administrators in the district.
  While being a matriarch of the Redondo Beach community, she was also 
a mother of eleven, grandmother of nineteen, and great-grandmother of 
one. Widowed in 1980, Valerie raised her children alone and ran the two 
family businesses. Her strength and leadership is an inspiration to us 
all.
  In keeping with the spirit of Valerie's commitment to special 
education and fine arts education, her children have established the 
Valerie K. Dombrowski Scholarship Fund to help children with special 
needs and arts programs in Redondo Beach.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join Valerie's family and friends in 
commemorating the loss of an outstanding educator, mother, and 
community leader. Valerie's tireless efforts and unwavering dedication 
have touched the community. We will miss her dearly, but her spirit 
will continue to survive.

                          ____________________