[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1152-E1153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LINDA LOPEZ CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2011

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedication and 
hard work of Ms. Linda Lopez of Merced, California. Not only is Ms. 
Lopez a treasured member of my staff, she is a tireless advocate and 
community leader in the 18th Congressional District.
  Born in New Mexico, Linda moved to California's Central Valley in 
1955 where she attended public school in Madera and then later college 
at Stanford University. She has been involved in civil rights and 
social justice work for over 40 years and is considered among the 
influential Latinos in the Central Valley.

[[Page E1153]]

  Linda's civic participation includes serving on the City of Merced's 
Redevelopment Agency Gateway Projects Citizen's Advisory Committee, 
City of Merced's Planning Commission, several City of Merced Ad Hoc 
Committees including Open Space and Parks, South Merced Specific Plan, 
CP-42 Park Project, Wastewater Advisory Committee. She has also served 
on the San Joaquin Valley Partnership Telecommunications Committee and 
the California State Advisory Board for Transportation Planning and 
Environmental Justice.
  Linda Lopez is also an alumnae of the Great Valley Center's IDEAL 
inaugural class, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality and 
Leadership Merced. Linda was named the 1998-99 Hispanic Woman of the 
Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  Linda has held numerous positions in the community that include the 
Central Valley Opportunity Center, TV Guide Magazine, the National Park 
Service and worked with a variety of research companies. She is also a 
former employee of the Great Valley Center's Central Valley Digital 
Network working to introduce/enhance technology capacity in the Central 
Valley communities from Marysville to Bakersfield.
  Linda has served as a Constituent Services Representative in my 
Merced District office since 2006 where she has worked hundreds of 
cases in her years of service. Linda prided herself on giving her time 
and energy to everyone that comes into my office seeking assistance. It 
was not unusual for Linda to work late nights and weekends to meet the 
needs of the constituents or schedule home visits for the elderly to 
assist them on matters for which they needed assistance. Linda's 
compassion is a hallmark for the work she does and it shows to not only 
the constituents but to the community at large. As a member of my 
staff, Linda has served as Field Representative where she would provide 
me updates and serves as my eyes and ears in the community.
  Linda's passion for helping people and making a difference sets her 
apart from others. She offers to everyone she meets, kindness and 
compassion. Often times, Linda's relationship with other community 
members evolves into that of a mentorship, where Linda guides and 
mentors other aspiring community activists to find the passion and 
desire in themselves to serve the public.
  In addition to her work as a public servant, Linda has her beautiful 
family for which she is so proud that include Ken, Emily and Jessica. 
Linda Lopez has made Merced, California a better place to live, work 
and raise our families. I am very proud to call her a member of Team 
Cardoza and more proud to call her a part of my family. Her compassion, 
leadership and dedication will serve our community and its children for 
many years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to recognize this fine 
individual for her work and tireless efforts.

                          ____________________