[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 43 (Friday, March 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO BLAIRE LENNANE--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, Blaire Lennane 
of Elysian Valley.
   Since 2011, Ms. Lennane has been an unstoppable force in the Elysian 
Valley community. Especially dedicated to serving the area's youth, she 
is the Founding President of Partners of Dorris (POD). POD is a non-
profit organization committed to supporting public education programs 
affected by budget cuts and the advancement of students at Dorris Place 
Elementary School. POD supports the school's teachers and contributes 
to the beautification and safety of Elysian Valley through outreach and 
volunteerism. A consummate organizer, Ms. Lennane has formed 
partnerships with local businesses, non-profit organizations, community 
groups, and corporations to generate funds and in-kind donations for 
the school. She spearheaded the complete makeover and re-opening of the 
school library, partnered with Home Depot to accomplish the leveling, 
re-building, and planting of the school garden and worked with Office 
Depot to provide supplies for the entire school.
   Ms. Lennane's greatest achievement through POD is the Instrumental 
Music Program, where she partnered with the non-profit group Education 
Through Music-Los Angeles, to bring musical instrument instruction 
(violin, cello, ukulele, and recorder) to the school, as well as 
organized afterschool ensemble practice.
   Ms. Lennane has founded and organized many events which have become 
beloved annual traditions highly anticipated by the community. Such 
events include the Training Day Fitness Fair & Walkathon, the Fine Arts 
Expo, and the Save the Music Program Fall Festival. Ms. Lennane is also 
active with the Elysian Valley Arts Collective, the Los Angeles City 
Parks Advisory Board for the Elysian Valley Recreation Center, and the 
Los Angeles Unified School District's Parent Community Advisory 
Committee. She sits on several committees for Dorris Place Elementary 
School. Ms. Lennane and her husband, Chad Gordon, have one daughter, 
Gala Lennane-Gordon.
   I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of 
California's 28th Congressional District, Blaire Lennane.

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