[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO LISSA LAYNG REYNOLDS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2008

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Lissa Layng 
Reynolds of South Pasadena, California. Every March we celebrate 
Women's History Month in recognition of the contributions and the 
sacrifices made by our Nation's women. Accordingly, it is my privilege 
to highlight Mrs. Reynolds as a woman whose extraordinary efforts are 
vital to my district.
  Lissa is a professional theater, film, and television actress whose 
interaction with her community goes far beyond the stage and screen. As 
the president of the California Performing Arts Centre and co-artistic 
director of the award-winning Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena, 
Lissa will celebrate the theatre's 10th anniversary this year. She 
shares the milestone with her husband, James, who also serves as the 
theatre's co-artistic director and can be seen on NBC's ``Days of Our 
Lives'' as Commissioner Abe Carver. Together they have produced and co-
produced over 30 plays during the Fremont Centre Theatre's decade of 
existence. Lissa and her family have lived in South Pasadena for over 
20 years. Her son, Jed Reynolds, graduated from South Pasadena schools 
and now coaches the high school junior varsity basketball team. Jed is 
also pursuing a career as an actor and is currently starring in the 
Fremont Centre Theatre's hit show ``Ravensridge.''
  In addition to the Fremont Centre Theatre, Lissa and James own and 
operate Classes Unlimited, an adult learning center, and Big Men Stuff, 
a clothing company that uses slogans to combat domestic abuse. The 
Reynolds' were selected as two of the most influential people in 
Pasadena by Pasadena Weekly and they received the Gold Crown Award from 
the Pasadena Arts Council for supporting local arts education and 
development.
  Giving back to the community is a priority for Lissa. Her busy 
schedule is packed equally with volunteer, fundraising, and 
professional efforts. Examples include the Haven House Women's Shelter 
in Pasadena, the Pasadena Humane Society, the Foothill YMCA, and the 
South Pasadena Police Department. For many years Lissa has joined her 
husband on USO handshake and educational tours for the troops and for 
their families. To encourage students to become active in the arts, the 
pair frequently directs local elementary school productions of 
Shakespeare and hosts an annual charity celebrity basketball tournament 
to benefit South Pasadena schools. For her continued philanthropic 
efforts Lissa has been honored by numerous organizations, including 
Women at Work, the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and the 
Tournament of Roses Association.
  Lissa's stage is her community; rather than focus on herself, she 
works to make South Pasadena the star. Her selfless service to the 
South Pasadena community is an invaluable addition to the legacy of 
Women's History Month. With gratitude and admiration, I ask all Members 
of Congress to join me today in honoring an extraordinary woman of 
California's 29th Congressional District, Mrs. Lissa Layng Reynolds.

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