[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO GRETCHEN ROBINETTE, 29TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF 
                             THE YEAR--2012

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2012

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History 
Month. Each year during the month of March, we pay special tribute to 
the accomplishments made by our nation's most distinguished women.
  Today, I pay tribute to Gretchen Robinette, a tireless volunteer, 
advocate, and remarkable woman of California's 29th Congressional 
District. Born and raised in South Pasadena, California, Gretchen 
graduated from South Pasadena High School, attained a B.A. from the 
University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree from the 
University of California, Los Angeles.
  Gretchen served in the Peace Corps as an English language teacher in 
Malaysian Borneo for two years, along with her husband, Vic Robinette. 
Ms. Robinette was a teacher and librarian throughout most of her 
professional career for South Pasadena High School, Rio Hondo College 
in Whittier, and San Luis Obispo High School. Her commitment to 
education is also reflected through her willingness to be involved in 
school issues. She assisted in bringing the South Pasadena High School 
Library online, contributed her time to help design the school's 
library when it was constructed, and served in the Academic Senate at 
Rio Hondo College. Upon her retirement from teaching a decade ago, 
Gretchen joined her husband's CPA firm, where she holds the position of 
Office Manager.
  Ms. Robinette has also served the community beyond the realm of 
education; a fact that she attributes to her years of service in the 
Peace Corps. She serves on the Board of Directors for the South 
Pasadena Preservation Foundation, chairs the South Pasadena Chamber of 
Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee, in addition to serving as a 
Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. A co-founder and former president, she 
currently serves as a Board Member for Women Involved in South Pasadena 
Political Action, WISPPA, an organization that works to improve 
integrity, accountability and transparency in the city government of 
South Pasadena. Past volunteer activities include serving on the South 
Pasadena Public Library's Board of Trustees and the Board of South 
Pasadena Beautiful.
  I ask all Members to join me in honoring an outstanding woman of the 
29th Congressional District, Gretchen Robinette, for her extraordinary 
service to the community.

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