[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 20 (Monday, February 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          A RECORD OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT H. PETERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 3, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
applaud Toni Atkins on her unanimous selection to be the next Speaker 
of the California State Assembly. Toni's career of public service in 
California is one marked by achievement, perseverance, and an ability 
to listen to all points of view.
  From Toni's earliest days in San Diego, it was apparent that she was 
devoted to the public good. She worked as the Director of Client 
Services for the Womancare Health Center. This position reflected 
Toni's constant advocacy for women's health, including women's 
reproductive choices. These are issues that she has advanced in both 
her work as an elected official, and privately through her ``Toni 
Atkins Lesbian Health Fund.''
  I first started working with Toni in 2000 when we were elected to San 
Diego's City Council. I remember Toni as being a consensus builder, a 
member who was willing to bring all interested parties to the table. 
Toni looks past partisan labels to come up with common sense solutions 
to some of the most challenging issues facing San Diego.
  Toni had many great accomplishments while serving in the office; she 
helped pass a living wage ordinance that boosted pay for thousands of 
hard working San Diegans and also passed a bill that expanded the 
affordable housing in the city. It was Toni's hard work and fair-
mindedness as a legislator which propelled her to the position of mayor 
pro-tem of San Diego, in which she became the first openly lesbian 
mayor of the city. Serving in this position Toni served as an 
inspiration to LGBT people, their families and allies everywhere.
  Toni's commitment was again called to serve her state; she was 
elected in 2010 to the California State Assembly, where she fights for 
important issues such as ending homelessness, and veterans issues. Once 
again Toni's vision and judgment has been recognized by her colleagues 
and in a unanimous selection, Toni was chosen to lead the California 
State Assembly as its Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize my friend Toni Atkins for her 
record of achievement, and her continued commitment to serving the 
citizens of California. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Toni as she goes on to lead California's State Assembly.

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