[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 32 (Wednesday, March 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E455-E456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JENNIFER GRODSKY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2005

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Jennifer Grodsky, a 
dedicated, intelligent and compassionate woman whom I have been very 
fortunate to have as my Legislative Director for the past four years.
  Jennifer joined my office shortly after I was elected to Congress in 
2000. Having received excellent training as a Legislative Assistant for 
former Congressman Julian Dixon of California, Jennifer quickly assumed 
her role as Legislative Director with great ease and competence. She 
played an instrumental part in establishing my office protocol and 
creating a strong legislative staff.
  As Legislative Director, Jennifer has coordinated my legislative 
agenda with much success. She has overseen my introduction of numerous 
bills, including two which have became law. Her extensive knowledge of 
the legislative process and a wide array of public policy issues has 
proved invaluable to my office. Since Jennifer's first day in the 
office, she has approached each and every task I have given her with 
the utmost professionalism and dedication.
  Jennifer's keen understanding of the health care challenges facing my 
district and the nation has been particularly important to me as a 
member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Chair of the 
Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Task Force on Health. Jennifer has 
organized numerous briefings and events to heighten awareness about 
accessing affordable health care and persisting racial and ethnic 
health disparities, including spearheading very successful events 
sponsored by the Congressional Hispanic, Black, and Asian Pacific 
American Caucuses in Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida. 
Jennifer played a lead role in developing the Healthcare Equality and 
Accountability Act, the Democratic Caucus' comprehensive bill to 
address racial and ethnic health disparities, and shares my strong 
concern for the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Her passion for improving 
our nation's health care system, particularly for the Latino and other 
minority communities, is one of Jennifer strongest attributes.
  As my appropriations staffer for the past four years, Jennifer has 
helped me to secure millions of dollars in federal assistance for 
important projects in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, 
including the expansion of the Azusa Health Clinic and the development 
of computer training classes at Project Amiga

[[Page E456]]

in South El Monte. These projects have, and will continue to make, an 
enormous difference in the lives of families living in the 32nd 
Congressional District of California.
  Jennifer's intelligence, kindness, and professionalism have earned 
her the trust and respect of her colleagues. She has served as a mentor 
to all of the staff, teaching them about the legislative process and 
various public policy issues with patience and understanding, earning 
the nickname ``Mama Grodsky'' among my staff.
  Jennifer's departure from my office will be a tremendous loss to my 
staff and me. While I am sad to see Jennifer leave my office, I am 
proud of her new career advancement as the Director of Federal Affairs 
for the University of Southern California. As a Magna Cum Laude 
graduate and proud alumnus of this renowned university, Jennifer will 
be an invaluable asset to her new office. The University of Southern 
California will be very fortunate to have such a talented and bright 
young woman to lead its new Washington, DC, office. I join my staff in 
Washington, DC, and district offices in El Monte and East Los Angeles 
in wishing Jennifer the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.

                          ____________________