[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 43 (Friday, March 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO MARTHA BURNS--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 14, 2014

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History 
Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and 
sacrifices made by our nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to 
outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional 
District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Martha Burns of 
La Canada Flintridge.
   Ms. Burns was born and raised in Minnesota. She obtained her degree 
in Mathematics from Colorado College, where she joined Kappa Alpha 
Theta, a sorority she continues to be active. After graduation, she 
worked as a Financial Analyst at General Mills in Minneapolis. Seven 
years later, she moved back to Colorado Springs, where she met and 
married Tom Burns while both were working for Burroughs Corp. In 1979, 
a job transfer moved the family to Glendale, and in 1981 they purchased 
a home in La Canada Flintridge. Ms. Burns wasted no time in joining the 
La Canada Flintridge Newcomers Club and the La Canada Junior Women's 
Club.
   As a young mother, Ms. Burns served as President and Treasurer of 
the La Canada Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA). She 
has also served in various positions with La Canada High School's PTA 
and Canada Council of PTA. Ms. Burns has also volunteered as a Leader 
and Den Mother for Campfire Girls and Cub Scouts, a Team Mom for 
American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), and as a ``Classroom 
Mother.''
   Well-known in the area for her accounting and computing skills, Ms. 
Burns has volunteered her services to numerous service groups and 
businesses. She was the first woman to lead the softball arm of the La 
Canada Jr. Baseball/Softball Association, for which she also served as 
Treasurer. She is an active member Assistance League of Flintridge 
(ALF) and previously served as Chairperson of the Summer School 
Program, Summer School Treasurer, Computer Chair, and Treasurer of 
ALF's Auxiliary. She was also the Treasurer of the Board of Directors 
of the La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation, the La Canada 
Flintridge Chamber of Commerce, and the La Canada-AM Kiwanis Club. Ms. 
Burns modernized the bookkeeping system for La Canada Congregational 
and St. George's Episcopal Churches and their pre-schools. She has also 
developed database and accounting systems for the Community Center of 
La Canada Flintridge and its pre-school. An avid animal lover, Ms. 
Burns has volunteered as a bookkeeper for the Recycled Pets Rescue 
Organization and as Treasurer for the Pasadena Animal League, an 
auxiliary of the Pasadena Humane Society. Ms. Burns also received a La 
Canada Council of PTA Service Award and a La Canada Flintridge 
Coordinating Council Les Tupper Community Service Award.
   I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of 
California's 28th Congressional District, Martha Burns.

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