[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO LILLIAN KAWASAKI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JUDY CHU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 2013

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, this month, the Los Angeles Area lost a 
wonderful leader, the environmental community lost a true champion, and 
I lost a dear friend. Lillian Kawasaki had served the city of Los 
Angeles since the early 1990s, and while she wore many hats throughout 
her years in public service, one thing remained constant among them 
all--she fought to make life better for those around her.
  An elected member of the WRD Board of Directors since 2006, Lillian 
was the first Asian-American ever appointed a department chief in Los 
Angeles. Lillian began heading the Los Angeles City Environmental 
Affairs Department in 1990 under Mayor Tom Bradley, and she worked 
tirelessly to improve the air quality in Los Angeles, spearheading the 
Los Angeles City Clean Air Plan and the City CEQA Thresholds Guidelines 
and Environmental Justice Program. In addition, Ms. Kawasaki served on 
the California State University LA Foundation Board for more than 5 
years. She had recently joined the California Small Business 
Development Center Network Advisory Board.
  Lillian was determined to clean up the city that she loved. Beginning 
as a researcher at UCLA, she worked on wastewater nutrient recycling 
programs before moving over to the Port of Los Angeles's Environmental 
Management Division. As a scientist, Lillian understood that the air we 
breathe and the water we drink affects our communities, our children, 
and our future, and her passion for a higher quality of life of Los 
Angelinos is what drove her to public service. She dedicated her life 
to cleaning up the Los Angeles Area, and her work will be felt for 
generations to come.
  The daughter of Japanese-Americans who were interned during World War 
II, Lillian was determined to commemorate this part of American 
history, and served as the co-chair of the Friends of Manzanar, a 
National Historic Site. Lillian was determined to give back to her 
community, and was a member of the Women's Foundation Donor's Circle, 
where she championed financial literacy for women and girls in her 
community.
  Lillian left us not long ago, but her impact lives on. The lives she 
touched are forever changed for the better, as are the communities she 
dedicated her life to improving. Her life's work provides an 
inspiration for all of us. So, today, I bid farewell to a friend, a 
community leader, and a true role model to so many.

                          ____________________