[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 44 (Monday, March 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO CHERYL ORTEGA--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 16, 2015

  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, Cheryl Ortega 
of Echo Park, a unique neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.
   Born in Los Feliz and raised in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles, 
California, Ms. Ortega's father's family arrived in Echo Park from 
Massachusetts in 1917, hoping to be part of the early movie industry. 
Ms. Ortega attended Los Feliz Elementary School, Our Mother of Good 
Counsel School, Immaculate Heart High School and Immaculate Heart 
College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Bilingual 
Teaching Credential in Spanish.
   Cheryl has been passionate about education from a very young age. 
She has been a teacher for nearly half a century, and has been teaching 
in Echo Park at Logan Span School for over two decades. Ms. Ortega's 
close association with the immigrant community has led her to actively 
advocate for people whose children she has taught in bilingual early 
education programs for almost 50 years. Along with her professional 
career, Cheryl is active and engaged in volunteering for the community 
and its schools. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of 
United Teachers Los Angeles, representing English Learner students and 
their teachers. She also serves as the Co-Chair of the Schools, 
Libraries, and Community Organizations of the Greater Echo Park Elysian 
Neighborhood Council, and has been a member of the Council through 
several different administrations.
   Cheryl and her husband, John, have three children, John, Kristina 
and Sara, and five grandchildren, Danny, Jake, Amanda, Ben and Caleb.
   I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of 
California's 28th Congressional District, Cheryl Ortega.

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