[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 138 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1350-E1351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING PREET DIDBAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2015

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of 
Preet Didbal a city councilwoman for Yuba City, and one of my 
district's 2015 Woman of the year.
  Whereas, on the Twenty-Second Day of September, of the Year Two 
Thousand and Fifteen, Preet Didbal was recognized as a 2015 Woman of 
the year.
  Whereas, against all odds, Preet Didbal made history when she took 
the oath of office December 2, 2014 to become the first Sikh American 
women elected to the Yuba City Council. The daughter of farm laborers, 
Preet worked alongside her parents in the peach and prune orchards and 
on the graveyard shift at the local cannery during the summer months. 
She was the first in her family to attend and graduate college, earning 
her Master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration in 
Health Services. She is a health care services manager with the 
California Department of Corrections.
  Whereas, Preet's focus as a councilwoman is on education, children 
and public safety.

[[Page E1351]]

Before her election to the City Council, Preet served as a Planning 
Commissioner for 10 years. She is an advocate for building a foundation 
for children of academic, economic and social opportunity so that they 
may thrive. She is particularly passionate about empowering young girls 
and women to reach their highest potentials. Preet spearheads quarterly 
Community Health and Safety forums in collaboration with local police, 
fire, schools and mental/public health agencies to educate the public.
  Whereas, Preet is also actively involved with local Runs to support 
Girls on the Run, Run Drugs out of Town, Hands of Hope Run for the 
Homeless, and Breast Cancer and Alzheimer's Research. She also collects 
backpacks for Western Farm Workers families every fall and volunteers 
for Back to School shopping with the Sutter-Yuba Association of 
Realtors to support low-income families and children. Preet's personal 
devotion rests in a desire to give back to the community that has given 
her so much.
  Resolved, that I Congressman John Garamendi of California's Third 
Congressional District, do hereby recognize and celebrate the 
accomplishments of Preet Didbal.

                          ____________________