[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO ROMELIA KIRKALDY, 29TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE 
                               YEAR--2004

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2004

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Women's History Month. 
During the month of March, we pay special tribute to the 
accomplishments of our Nation's most distinguished women. It is my 
great privilege to recognize outstanding women who are making a 
difference in my district.
  I stand today to recognize an extraordinary woman of California's 
29th Congressional District, Ms. Romelia Kirkaldy. Ms. Kirkaldy's 
commitment to comforting others and advocating for those in need has 
made our community a better place in which to live.
  Romelia Kirkaldy was born in Colon, Republic of Panama. She married a 
military serviceman and lived in Panama for many years. She has four 
children, Ricardo, Luis, William, and Terrence; and 11 grandchildren.
  In 1966, Romelia immigrated to Chicago and worked as a nurse's 
assistant for 25 years with the Illinois Masonic Center in the 
neonatal/newborn nursery. She gave thousands of newborn babies comfort 
during their first hours in the world.
  Upon her retirement in 1990, Ms. Kirkaldy moved to Pasadena, 
California. She began her community service career by volunteering for 
the Truancy Department of Pasadena, where she checked up on children 
who were absent from school. For many years, Romelia also participated 
with Family Friends, where she mentored disabled children and their 
families.
  Over 14 years ago, Romelia became active with the Pasadena Senior 
Center as a senior lay advocate where she assisted senior citizens with 
information and referrals and helped to organize group outings and 
tours. Romelia considers this effort to be one of the most important 
efforts in her life and continues to volunteer at the center, staffing 
the front desk and telephones.
  In 1992, Romelia was appointed to the Accessibility and Disability 
Commission for the City of Pasadena and served for 6 years, serving as 
chair for one term. For the last 7 years, she has been staffing the 
information kiosk at Pasadena City Hall and has been a volunteer for 
the annual Latino History Parade in Pasadena. As a lay Eucharistic 
minister at St. Phillip the Apostle Church, Romelia ministers to the 
sick and infirm. In addition to her many volunteer activities, Romelia 
works at the Altadena Traffic School in Altadena, California.
  I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring an 
extraordinary woman of California's 29th Congressional District, 
Romelia Kirkaldy. The entire community joins me in thanking Romelia 
Kirkaldy for her continued efforts to make the 29th Congressional 
District a better place in which to live.

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