[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNITION OF CALIFORNIA'S 32ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize California's 32nd 
Congressional District, which I have had the privilege to have 
represented for the last 8 years in Congress and which I am proud to 
call home.
  I am proud that my six siblings and I were raised in La Puente. Like 
many, my parents sacrificed throughout our childhood so my siblings and 
I could live up to our potential to achieve whatever our talents would 
allow. Like other families throughout the San Gabriel Valley, my 
parents instilled in my siblings and me the value of hard work, public 
service and commitment to family. For most of my adult life I have 
continued to live in the San Gabriel Valley, calling El Monte home.
  California's 32nd Congressional District is a culturally diverse 
district where residents live and work together as a community to 
ensure everyone has the opportunity to achieve success and dreams for 
their families. The communities in the 32nd Congressional District 
include: the cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, 
Irwindale, Rosemead, South El Monte, West Covina, and portions of 
Monterey Park and East Los Angeles.
  During my time in Congress I was proud to have been the first Latina 
on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where I served as Vice 
Chair of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee and as 
Ranking Member during my tenure, and was a member of its Health and 
Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittees. I also had the 
privilege to serve on the House Natural Resources Committee, the House 
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and the 
House Education and Labor Committee. In addition, I held several 
leadership positions, including being the first Latina to chair the 
Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. I also chaired the 
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Task Force on Health and the Environment 
where I spearheaded annual summits across the country on racial and 
ethnic health disparities.
  Throughout my career in public service I worked hard to improve the 
lives of families by focusing on expanding access to affordable health 
care, protecting the environment, and job creation. In Congress I have 
won legislative victories to provide workforce training for green 
collar jobs; authorized a Federal study on ways to improve recreational 
and environmental opportunities for the San Gabriel River Watershed; 
removed barriers to U.S. citizenship for non-U.S. citizens serving in 
the U.S. military and reserves; banned pesticide testing on pregnant 
women and children; helped ensure health care access for Latinos 
suffering from HIV/AIDS; and promote domestic violence awareness, 
particularly in communities of color.
  I want to thank the residents of California's 32nd Congressional 
District for electing me to represent them in Congress. I have served 
during some of the most trying times in California's history, and have 
worked to help build a better future for our State and country. It has 
been a privilege to serve and represent the San Gabriel Valley and East 
Los Angeles in the U.S. House of Representatives for the past 8 years.
  I want to take this opportunity to thank my family, especially my 
parents, Raul and Juana Solis, my husband, and my sisters and brothers 
for all of their support over the years. They have always believed in 
me, and have been my source of strength and teachers of the commitment 
to justice, equality and public service. To my extended family, those I 
have worked alongside with both in California, thank you for your 
commitment to public service and justice, and your loyalty.
  I also want to thank you, Madam Speaker, all of my colleagues in the 
House, and in particular California's Congressional delegation. I have 
enjoyed working with you all during my time in Congress, and I am 
looking forward to continuing to work with you to build a better 
country. Thank you and God Bless.

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