[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 22, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CLAUDIA LUPPINO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2013

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to southern California 
are exceptional. Our community has been fortunate to have dynamic and 
dedicated leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and 
talent to make their communities a better place to live and work. 
Claudia Luppino is one of these individuals. On Friday, January 4, 
2013, Claudia ended her tenure as the Area Director for the Inland Area 
jurisdiction of the Social Security Administration (SSA) after 37 years 
of service.
  Claudia grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she and her future 
husband Bud were high school sweethearts. After graduating from Erie 
Business College, the young military wife began her government career 
with the U.S. Army Computer Systems Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, 
later transferring to March Air Force Base in Riverside. In 1977, after 
Bud left the Air Force, she began her career with Social Security as 
the Administrative Aide in the Riverside District office. Since then, 
she has held more than a dozen positions with the Agency, including 
Claims Representative, Operations Analyst and Operations Supervisor.
  In 1985 Claudia was selected as the Area Analyst in the Inland Area 
Director's Office (ADO), and in 1987 she became the District Manager in 
the Redlands Office, where she served for two years before being 
selected as the Operations Officer in San Bernardino. In 1993 Claudia 
rejoined the Inland ADO as the Area Administrative Assistant, and later 
went on to serve as the Assistant District Manager in Palm Springs, 
District Manager in North Las Vegas, District Manager in Victorville, 
Deputy Area Director in the Inland Area Director's Office and the 
District Manager for the Riverside District. Claudia is a graduate of 
the Region IX Leadership Development Program and has received numerous 
awards, including the Regional Commissioner's Citation.
  Claudia recently concluded an assignment as the Acting Area Director 
in the Los Angeles Metro Area. She served for over six months as the 
Acting Area Director in the Inland Area, where she oversaw 540 
employees in 16 offices in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and 
all of Nevada. It was a responsibility she took seriously. According to 
her, ``There is no other government agency that provides the critical 
services SSA does, providing retirement, survivors and disability 
benefits as well as Supplemental Security Income benefits to the 
American public.'' What she will miss most about her job, she said, 
``is that very ability to make a difference in the lives of so many 
people.''
  In her retirement, Claudia plans to help her husband Bud with his 
business, Bud's Tire and Wheel, Inc. in Riverside, and a shop in Moreno 
Valley. They will soon begin construction on a third location in 
Riverside. She also looks forward to traveling more, learning Italian 
and spending time with her three grandsons.
  In light of all Claudia has done for southern California seniors, it 
is only fitting that she be honored for her many years of dedicated 
service. Claudia's tireless passion for public service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the Inland Empire and I am proud to call 
her a fellow community member, American and friend. I know that many 
community members are grateful for her service and salute her as she 
retires.

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