[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 34 (Friday, February 27, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF PERLA IBARRIENTOS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 27, 2015

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Perla Ibarrientos, an 
outstanding volunteer and citizen of San Mateo County, on the occasion 
of her 80th birthday. Perla currently serves on the Daly City Personnel 
Board and volunteers her time and energy to a long list of 
organizations benefiting everyone in our community, in particular our 
children. I am honored to count Perla as a dear friend and close 
adviser whom I have known for over three decades.
  Perla turned her life into the American Dream. Born in the 
Philippines, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and worked in her 
family's pharmacy. Her husband Mig, an engineer, worked for the 
electric company. During the 60s and 70s they lived under the 
repressive regime of President Ferdinand Marcos and dreamed of a better 
life for their family. In the early 70s, Mig, Perla and their three 
children, Glenn, Joy Ann and Gladys, left their home in the Philippines 
to create a brand new one in the United States. They settled in 
Broadmoor, California, and Perla immediately started to get involved in 
her new community. She volunteered as a teacher's aide at Garden 
Village Elementary and as an elder in the Presbyterian Church.
  A few years later, the family moved to Daly City where they still 
live today. Perla served on the PTA Board and Parents Advisory Board at 
Westmoor High School. She recruited qualified Filipino teachers to 
address a significant shortage of diversity and to better reflect the 
population. Daly City, which is located in my 14th Congressional 
District, has one of the largest Filipino communities in the world.
  Perla is a tireless advocate for equality and access to education. 
Inside and outside of the classroom, she has instilled in children a 
passion for learning and set them on a path to become engaged and 
contributing citizens. Her own children are shining examples of her 
values. Glenn serves as the Director of Nursing for San Mateo County 
and is a retired Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Joy Ann serves as 
Vice President of John Wells Production at Warner Brothers. Gladys is 
Assistant CEO of the San Mateo County Employees Retirement Association.
  In the 1980s, Perla became a U.S. citizen, one of the proudest 
moments in her life. She never tires of civic engagement and seeking 
ways to help others. She serves a long list of organizations, including 
as the Chair of the Filipino Bayanihan Center in Daly City, Vice-
President of the North Peninsula Food Pantry and Dining Center and 
Director of the American Baptist Homes of the West/Hillcrest Senior 
Housing.
  Perla is a true trailblazer. She became the first Filipina to serve 
on the Daly City Library Board of Trustees from 1990 to 1995 and the 
Daly City Personnel Board since 2007. Her humility and resolve make her 
an effective leader, an inspirational role model and a wonderful person 
to be around. Her warmth, beautiful smile and embracing personality 
have earned her the love and respect of everyone in the community.
  She has been recognized by numerous distinguished organizations. In 
2013 and 1997, she was awarded the State of California Legislative 
Woman of the Year for the 19th Assembly District. In 2007, she was 
named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S.A. by 
the Filipino Women's Network and Outstanding Filipino American Women by 
the FilAm Coalition. In 2005, she was named Daly City Citizen of the 
Year and in 1999, she received the Presbyterian Women Honorary Life 
Membership Award. These awards reflect the great contributions Perla 
has made to the lives of Daly City residents.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House of Representatives join to me in 
saying happy birthday to my friend Perla Ibarrientos and to recognize 
her for her decades of outstanding service to the community she loves. 
Her work and commitment have made Daly City a better place for all 
residents.

                          ____________________