[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING HELGA LEMKE, OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague 
Rep. Lynn Woolsey with great pleasure to honor Helga Lemke on her 18 
years of service with Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County. 
Since 1989, when she was hired as the agency's Executive Director, 
Helga has shown a steadfast commitment to increasing opportunities for 
low income residents of Sonoma County to gain self-sufficiency and 
contribute to their communities. We have found Helga to be fiercely 
focused on fighting poverty, wonderfully competent in running this 
large, multi-program agency, and yet very down-to-earth and authentic.
  Helga has spent her entire career helping others, from her internship 
with the National Community Action Foundation nearly 40 years ago 
through her work at the United Nations to the present. One of the 
tenets she holds to dearly, says colleague John Way, is making a 
difference. He notes, ``I have heard her often say that one of the most 
enriching things about her work is having someone tell her, `What 
you've done has changed my life.' ''
  Helga's well-earned appointment to Director of Programs for the 
California Department of Community Services reminds us how much she has 
accomplished for our community. For one, she transformed a struggling 
nonprofit into one of the largest and most respected agencies in the 
county. She also initiated an award-winning staff diversity training 
program and a community-acclaimed annual conference on poverty, at the 
same time leading a staff of 225 at more than 20 sites with an annual 
budget of more than $11 million.
  Despite all this, Helga has still made time for public service. The 
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors appointed her to the Workforce 
Investment Board and Youth Council; the Santa Rosa City Mayor has 
appointed her to the Mayor's Task Force on Gangs; and she has also 
served on numerous boards, including Roseland University Prep School. 
She has also testified before Congress on Head Start issues, where her 
expertise was valued.
  Madam Speaker, we have appreciated working with Director Lemke on the 
many issues faced by the Sonoma community and thank her for her 
dedicated service. Her passion and energy are an inspiration to all of 
us who work with families. Congratulations on your appointment, Helga.

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