[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO CATHERINE WILLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Catherine Wills 
of Monterey Park, 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. 
Wills as a woman whose extraordinary efforts are vital to my district.
  Family life in Minneapolis, Minnesota, infused Cathy with the spirit 
of volunteerism from the very beginning. As a young girl she watched 
her older sister, Charlotte, transform a personal struggle with spina 
bifida into success as a community activist. Cathy grew to share her 
father's concern for social issues such as global poverty, illiteracy, 
and health care, and she joined Charlotte as a devoted advocate for the 
physically disabled.
  Soon after, Cathy's adventuresome spirit took her all the way to 
Cairo, Egypt. There she worked in a number of professions, from 
newspaper reporter to fashion model, advertising representative to tour 
guide. Cathy even landed a small role in Cecil B. DeMille's epic, ``The 
Ten Commandments.'' After living abroad, becoming fluent in Arabic, and 
traveling throughout Europe, she returned to the United States and 
settled in Monterey Park.
  Cathy's thirty-plus years of local community outreach include serving 
as a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff, where she became the first 
woman assigned to the Detective Division's Homicide Bureau and spent 
her free time mentoring at-risk girls as a Pasadena YWCA ``Big 
Sister.'' Following retirement, Cathy has dedicated herself to the City 
and people of Monterey Park. She served on the board of directors of 
the Heritage Manor Convalescent Home, was a long-time appointee to the 
City's Personnel Board, and wrote a community column for the local 
newspaper.
  Armed with a lifetime of experience and gumption, Cathy faced her 
husband's recent bouts with cancer head on and continues to support the 
City of Hope National Cancer Research Center. Her current roles include 
serving on city and county Election boards, fundraising as a member of 
the Soroptimist Club, and advocating for San Gabriel Valley causes as a 
founding member of the Concerned Citizens of Monterey Park. Cathy also 
honors outstanding volunteers as co-chair of the United Democratic 
Club's annual ``People Who Make a Difference'' award.
  It is my privilege to celebrate Cathy just as she has recognized 
others for so many years. Her steadfast and selfless service 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. Catherine Wills.

                          ____________________