[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 105 (Friday, July 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE MEMORY OF LONGTIME CARSON CITY COUNCILWOMAN KAY CALAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 13, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of a 
truly inspirational woman, Kay Calas. Kay was a resident of Carson for 
over seven decades, and helped the area evolve into a large and diverse 
city with a thriving business community.
  Shortly after moving to Carson in 1940 with her oldest son Chuck 
Thonney she met her husband, John Calas. Together they had four sons 
and were active members of the Carson community. He went on to found 
the Carson Chamber of Commerce, help the city incorporate in 1968 and 
finally was elected to the City Council in 1972.
  Only three years later Mr. Calas passed away. The city saw something 
special in Kay, and 1,400 residents signed a petition urging the 
council to appoint her to the seat for the remainder of his term. 
Although the effort was unsuccessful she ran in the next election, and 
won. She won the next seven elections as well, before retiring in 2005.
  Throughout scandal and corruption in the city's government, Kay could 
always be looked to as the beacon of righteousness. Although many of 
her colleagues were brought down from these scandals, not once was she 
affected.
  Kay's life was dedicated to her sons and the city she loved so much. 
She had a particular passion for senior citizen's rights and the fine 
arts. There were instances where she would pay for a senior's hearing 
aid if the insurance would not cover it, and every year she paid the 
travel expenses to bring 3,000 school children to The Carson Symphony 
Orchestra.
  Her political rivals had great respect for her as well, stating that 
although they disagreed on legislative issues, they knew Kay was always 
trying to help the city and residents of Carson.
  Kay Calas was an innovative and visionary woman. As a woman in 
Congress I can appreciate what it takes to break into a traditionally 
male oriented world, and being elected in the seventies to public 
office is all the more impressive. She was an ideal role model for the 
young women of Carson, and her presence will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________