[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING CAROL SCHATZ'S TENURE AS PRESIDENT/CEO OF CENTRAL CITY 
                       ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Carol 
Schatz on being honored with the Heart of the City Award at this year's 
``Treasures of Los Angeles'' luncheon. As president and chief executive 
officer of the Central City Association (CCA) of Los Angeles, Carol has 
played an integral role in making Los Angeles one of the world's great 
cities--a growing and thriving metropolis, welcoming to businesses, 
investors, developers, and travelers.
  This year, Carol celebrates her 25th year at the Central City 
Association of Los Angeles. That is a remarkable milestone, and it is 
worth reviewing her successes during that time.
  Under Carol's leadership, CCA has been one of the leading business 
advocacy organizations in the City and County of Los Angeles, 
coordinating with community leaders and elected officials to make Los 
Angeles a better place to live and work.
  In Downtown Los Angeles, development and investment are at record 
levels. Downtown is now home to more than 50,000 residents, with units 
to house another 15,000 under construction or in the process of being 
approved.
  Carol has played a critical role in Downtown's renaissance. At her 
direction, CCA has worked to transform and revitalize the area through 
a broad set of strategies ranging from mixed-use/mixed-income projects 
to new transportation amenities. Carol initiated an Adaptive Reuse 
Ordinance to make Downtown a housing destination, and coordinated state 
funding and incentives to help developers turn empty office buildings 
into brand-new housing. CCA also joined with the Los Angeles City 
Council to help reinstitute the Civic Center Authority, which developed 
a master plan for the area.
  In 1997, Carol's efforts led to the creation of the Downtown Center 
Business Improvement District, a coalition of property owners in the 
heart of Downtown L.A. With Carol at its helm, the DCBID has brought 
substantial new residential and commercial investment to Downtown, and 
has made it a safer and cleaner place to live.
  Carol Schatz's vision, hard work, and perseverance have garnered her 
much praise from city and state leaders, and the ``Heart of the City'' 
award is just the latest well-deserved example. I have worked with 
Carol for many years to keep Los Angeles moving forward, and am proud 
to call her a friend. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
her on this great honor.

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