[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E363]]


                      A TRIBUTE TO SHARON MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Sharon Martinez, 
of Monterey Park, CA. Each year in March, in recognition of Women's 
History Month, we pay special tribute to the contributions and 
sacrifices made by our Nation's women.
  Sharon was born, raised, and educated in Monterey Park. She received 
her bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of 
Southern California, and her master's degree in public administration 
in management from the University of Southern California.
  Inspired to help residents find jobs in the community, Ms. Martinez 
founded SMART Staffing Services, a woman and minority owned employment 
agency that specializes in clerical, bilingual and promotional 
staffing, originally opened in Monterey Park and now located in 
Alhambra. SMART Staffing Services, of which Sharon is president, now 
serves the greater Los Angeles area including Orange, Riverside, San 
Bernardino, and Ventura.
  Sharon's list of community involvement is impressive. A current 
councilmember and former mayor of Monterey Park, her past activities 
include serving as a board member of the Latin Business Association, 
West San Gabriel Valley YMCA, Monterey Park Art & Culture Commission, 
Library Board, national vice president of Young Adults of the League of 
the United Latin American Citizens, and former secretary of Hispanas 
Organized for Political Equality.
  An appointed member of the Los Angeles County Commission on Local 
Government, Sharon is currently involved in the Monterey Park/Rosemead 
Soroptimist International, Monterey Park Rotary, San Gabriel Valley 
Council of Government, Monterey Park Library Foundation, the San 
Gabriel Valley Animal Control Authority, Boy Scouts of America--Mission 
Amigos District Board, Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, and the 
Monterey Park Hospital Board. Sharon's goal is to have a direct voice 
in improving the quality of life for our community and especially to 
see improvements in the employment industry.
  Ms. Martinez has received several awards including Assembly Member 
Judy Chu's 2003 Latina Business Women of the Year, Business and 
Professional Women's 2003 Business Woman of the Year Award, ``Woman of 
Promise'' Award, and ``Latina Entrepreneur of the Year'' Award. She was 
featured in the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the ``20 Up & 
Coming Latino Women.''
  I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring an 
extraordinary woman of Calfornia's 29th Congressional District, Sharon 
Martinez.

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