[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 102 (Monday, July 12, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO OFELIA VALDEZ-YEAGER

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize the 
career accomplishments and service of Ofelia Valdez-Yeager as she 
retires from her position as chief administrative liaison to the 
Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.
  Ofelia--a native of Tayoltita, Durango, Mexico--immigrated with her 
family to the United States in 1958. Although she began first grade as 
a non-English-speaker, she completed the school year at the top of her 
class--realizing her parents' high expectations for the academic 
achievement of their 10 children, even though they themselves had been 
educated only at the elementary level in Mexico.
  Ofelia was admitted to the University of California, Riverside--UCR--
in 1965 as one of the initial group of five Educational Opportunity 
Program--EOP--students. After graduating in 1969 with a bachelor's 
degree in Spanish and completing the requirements for an elementary 
teaching credential in 1971, she embarked upon a professional career 
that has included work as an Upward Bound tutor and counselor, high 
school counseling assistant, elementary school teacher, bilingual 
resource teacher, and consultant for several public agencies.
  In 1992 Ofelia was elected to serve as the first Latina trustee on 
the Riverside Unified School District Board; she was later elected vice 
president of this same body. She expanded her commitment to public 
service by accepting a part-time position as administrative assistant 
to the mayor--focusing her expertise and energies on youth, education, 
and crime issues. She also served as executive assistant to the 
superintendent of the Riverside Unified School District.
  In addition to her current responsibilities as chief administrative 
liaison, Ofelia also serves on boards and committees of a number of 
local agencies and organizations, including the United Way, Concilio 
Child Development Centers, Fiesta de la Familia, Mission Inn 
Foundation, Raincross Group, Riverside County Library Foundation, 
Riverside Library and Museum Taskforce, UCR Medical School Community 
Advisory, Riverside Community College Foundation, Hispanic Education 
Foundation, and the Riverside County Sheriff's Commission on 
Recruiting, Retention, and Diversity. As founder of the Latina Women's 
Health Forum, as one of three founders of the Latina Network, and as a 
strong influence behind the Nati Fuentes Centro de Ninos on the 
Eastside, she continues to exert influence on education and community 
priorities.
  In recognition of her professional contributions and service, Ofelia 
has received the Hope Luminarias Award and the La Sierra University 
President's Community Service Citation. She has been named CHARO 
Minority Business Advocate of the Year and has been cited by the 
Riverside Press-Enterprise newspaper as one of the People Who Make a 
Difference.
  It is my pleasure to recognize Ofelia Valdez-Yeager as she prepares 
to retire from the Office of the Superintendent, Riverside County 
Schools. I commend her for her fine service to the community.

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