[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO DEBRA SUH, 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.
  I stand today to pay tribute to Debra Suh of Glendale, California, an 
extraordinary woman who selflessly works to strengthen our community 
and provide valuable resources where they are needed most. Debra worked 
at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles as an attorney, where she 
established the Asian Pacific Islander Legal Unit, geared towards 
increasing the low-income immigrant community's access to legal 
representation and services. Debra has continuously pushed to provide 
this population with opportunities and a voice that might be denied 
them otherwise.
  Since 1999, Debra has been the Executive Director of the Center for 
the Pacific Asian Family, CPAF, which is nationally renowned for its 
inspiring work to support immigrant Asian and Pacific Islander 
survivors of sexual and domestic violence. CPAF offers programs, which 
are imperative to women and children survivors, such as the 24-Hour 
Crisis Hotline, Transitional Shelter, Emergency Shelter, and Community 
Outreach programs. These provide a safe haven to people in need, and 
allow survivors to feel supported by their community.
  Debra is an accomplished leader and dedicated volunteer, and has 
always found time to volunteer for various vital organizations. She 
served on the Board of Directors of the California Partnership to End 
Domestic Violence, and was Board Vice President from 2008 to 2010. She 
is Past President of the Women's Organization Reaching Koreans and 
Korean American Bar Association. Ms. Suh's efforts have not gone 
unrecognized. She has been awarded the Durfee Sabbatical Award and the 
KCET/Union Bank Local Hero Award. Currently, Debra serves as Co-Chair 
of the California Emergency Management Agency's Domestic Violence 
Advisory Council and is a member of the Los Angeles Emergency Food and 
Shelter Program Board, Blue Shield of California's Foundation's Strong 
Field Project Advisory Group, the Los Angeles County DPSS Welfare 
Advisory Council, and the Los Angeles City Mayor's Nonprofit Advisory 
Group. In addition, Debra is a tireless volunteer at the local public 
schools where her two children attend; she teaches art, helps raise 
funds, and helps in the classroom.
  Debra and her husband, Robin Toma, have two children, Nina Suh-Toma 
and Julian Suh-Toma.
  I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an outstanding woman 
of California's 29th Congressional District, Debra Suh, for her 
outstanding service to our community.

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