[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 97 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA

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                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding 
individual who has made significant contributions to improve the 
quality of life of the constituents of California's 32nd Congressional 
District, Antonio Villaraigosa.
  Antonio Villaraigosa is a visionary, caring and progressive public 
servant. Throughout his professional career, Antonio Villaraigosa has 
held various leadership positions in the public sector and the labor 
movement. He served on the boards of the Southern California Rapid 
Transit District and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. In 
1994, he was elected to the California State Assembly representing the 
45th District of Los Angeles, and four years after was elected Speaker 
of the Assembly. As Speaker of the Assembly he was credited with 
fostering an unprecedented era of bipartisanship.
  As a true coalition-builder, Antonio Villaraigosa spearheaded a $9.1 
billion initiative to rebuild and modernize California schools, a $2.1 
billion initiative to provide parks and open space throughout the 
state, and a state health insurance program, ``Healthy Families.''
  On June 28, 2003, Antonio Villaraigosa will be sworn in as Los 
Angeles City Councilmember representing the 14th District. Some of his 
priorities include community safety, economic development, 
environmental issues and constituent services. His outstanding 
accomplishments and efforts to improve his community are inspiring and 
worth honoring.

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