[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1982-E1983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING BUSINESS WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise tdday to recognize Sylvia Disney, 
M. Margaret Hadcock MD, Teena N. Hagerman, Heidi Horton, Linda Penner, 
Ruth F. Quinto, Minne Santillian, Patty Scroggins, Cynthia A. Sterling, 
and Carmen Villegas on the occasion of their being awarded the 2004 
Business Women of the Year Award. The award is given to women, who in 
their professional fields, have become leaders and have invested in 
their communities through community service and philanthropy. The 
Marjaree Mason Center, a 24-hour domestic-violence center that offers 
shelter and supportive services for women and children victimized by 
abuse and homelessness, is the main sponsor of the awards program.
  Sylvia Disney. Sylvia is the CEO of Valley Healthy Team, a non-profit 
organization that offers outpatient services to the rural communities 
of Fresno County, California. As the owner of Thyme for Tea, Sylvia 
enchants her patrons with exceptional service and delicacies. Sylvia 
volunteers her time to rehabilitate animals for the Chaffee Zoo and 
offers her expertise as a Master Gardner to conduct horticultural 
programs for youths and adults.
  M. Margaret Hadcock MD. As a physician with Fresno Breast Surgeons, 
Dr. Hadcock dedicates her practice to the treatment and research of all 
medical facets of breast cancer. Dr. Hadcock established and heads the 
St. Agnes Weekly Breast Cancer Conference and contributes time as a 
mentoring physician in Girl Scout projects, which illuminates various 
career opportunities to young women.
  Teena N. Hagerman. Owner and Director of Coarsegold Performing Arts 
Center, Teena brings over 20 years of experience as a dance instructor 
and musical and drama actor/director. Teena is committed to the 
preservation of our surrounding communities and has collaborated with 
PG&E to develop and perform educational plays aimed to promote energy 
conservation. Teena plans to build an outdoor theater that will support 
children's and adult production for the community of Coarsegold.
  Heidi Horton. Heidi is an Executive Recruiter at BennettFrost 
Personnel Services whose diligent marketing and networking skills 
rebuilt the DirectHire department. Heidi is a compassionate 
professional and athlete. She voluntarily helps nonprofit organizations 
with their recruiting and staff sharing and raises funds as a 
triathlete for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Heidi is an active 
supporter of local community organizations such as: United Way, Fig 
Garden Rotary, Leadership Fresno, Fresno Women's Network and many 
others.

[[Page E1983]]

  Linda Penner. Protecting the citizens of Fresno County, Linda is the 
current Director of Juvenile Probation and Adult Field Services for the 
Fresno County Probation Department. During her 27 year career she has 
worked to assist victims of crime in our community as a Victims' 
Advocate and Deputy Probation Officer. She has been recognized for her 
work with child sexual assault victims by the Sexual Assault 
Investigators Association and Fresno County District Attorney's Office. 
Linda's unprecedented commitment to the children of Fresno County is 
further demonstrated by her service to our schools as she serves on 
boards, commissions and committees serving both Clovis Unified and 
Fresno Unified School Districts.
  Ruth F. Quinto. Ruth is the City of Fresno's Finance Director and 
City Controller. Some of Ruth's many accomplishments include decreasing 
citywide debt by $23 million and laboring alongside Mayor Alan Autry in 
an effort to have the Governor's Office recognize the revenue needs of 
California's cities and counties. In 2001, Ruth achieved the status of 
``highest ranking Latina administrator'' as Controller for the City of 
Fresno and received the ``Latina's Achiever for Government'' award in 
2002.
  Minnie Santillian. As the District Director for Assemblymember Sarah 
Reyes' 31st Assembly District Office, Minnie champions her work in the 
political sphere by proposing legislative ideas on issues such as 
Health Care, Education, Public Safety and many others. Minnie is 
dedicated to her community by serving as Board President of the 
Downtown Association of Fresno and spends her free time teaching tennis 
to underprivileged youths.
  Patty Scroggins. Patty's efforts to establish Early Childhood 
Education Centers in the West Hills Community College District has 
created dependable childcare for children from birth to 5 years of age 
in the cities of Firebaugh, San Joaquin, Lemoore and several others. 
Her strong relationship with the State Department of Education has 
allowed her to offer free childcare to low-income families and she 
works relentlessly to provide ongoing parent education.
  Cynthia A. Sterling. Fresno City Councilmember Cynthia A. Sterling 
made history in 2002 by becoming the first elected African-American 
woman to serve on that City Council. Since her inauguration, she has 
raised $20,000 with her Hope for the Holidays turkey distribution and 
serves on Fresno's Interagency Housing Taskforce, which focuses on 
creating quality housing for all income levels and homeownership 
opportunities.
  Carmen Villegas. Carmen is Director of Administrative Service for the 
Central Valley Regional Center and serves on numerous committees with 
the Department of Developmental Services. As a breast cancer survivor, 
Carmen annually travels to Washington, D.C. to review breast cancer 
research proposals and mentors newly diagnosed minority women who lack 
a much needed support system.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sylvia Disney, M. Margaret 
Hadcock MD, Teena N. Hagerman, Heidi Horton, Linda Penner, Ruth F. 
Quinto, Minnie Santillian, Patty Scroggins, Cynthia A. Sterling, and 
Carmen Villegas for receiving the 2004 Business Women of the Year 
Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in commending these 
outstanding women for their desire to improve the community around them 
and in wishing them many years of continued success.

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