[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO ELAINE PAONESSA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2008

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Elaine Paonessa 
of Burbank, 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 Ms. 
Paonessa as a woman whose extraordinary efforts are vital to my 
district.
  Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and raised in San Diego, Elaine 
briefly attended San Diego State College before leaving to tour 
nationally with an all-girl orchestra as a trumpet player and a 
professional singer. Her musical background would return one day in her 
outreach efforts.
  Before she emerged as one of the Burbank community's brightest stars, 
Elaine relocated to Burbank with her husband, Bill, in 1952. There they 
raised their daughter, Gay, and their son, Guy, and were together until 
Bill's passing in 2006. It was during her 15 years as a homemaker that 
Elaine first amassed an impressive roster of volunteer commitments.
  As she worked with the Boy Scouts, led the Emblem Club of Burbank as 
president, chaired the city's Women's Council, founded the local 
Performing Arts Federation, and supported St. Joseph's Medical Center, 
Elaine established the blueprint of a truly devoted citizen. When she 
returned to work in 1967, Elaine blazed professional trails as the 
first female sales representative for the Automobile Club of Southern 
California. Never one to shy from community involvement, she served on 
the Burbank Chamber of Commerce board of directors and the Salvation 
Army advisory board.
  Today Elaine has not slowed a bit. She continues to lead and 
volunteer with several community organizations, including the Burbank 
Farmer's Market and the Burbank Civitan Club, to name just a few. 
Elaine revisits her roots as a traveling performer as the Musical 
Director of the Van Bloem Singers, a group that visits and performs at 
senior residences and healthcare facilities. For her incredible breadth 
of service, Elaine has been recognized by Los Angeles County Commission 
on Aging and has been honored with the President's Volunteer Service 
Award.
  With no charitable stone left unturned, Elaine's selfless and awe-
inspiring dedication to the Burbank 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, Ms. 
Elaine Paonessa.