[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 139 (Friday, September 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ELVIA GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 2015

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of 
Elvia Garcia a community organizer 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, Elvia Garcia was recognized as a 2015 Woman of 
the year.
  Whereas, among many other areas of community involvement, Elvia 
Garcia was instrumental in the implementation of the Yolo County 
District Attorney's Neighborhood Court Program. The Neighborhood Court 
Program utilizes restorative justice concepts, which identify crime as 
acts that cause harm done to people and communities and emphasizes the 
offender repairing that harm done to the individual and to the 
community as a whole.
  Whereas, Elvia has been a volunteer in this program since its 
inception in the Spring of 2013 and continues to be a driving force in 
the program. After observing San Francisco's model in an effort to 
better understand the program and how to best apply its practices in 
Yolo County, Elvia helped design the current facilitated conference 
model, panelist and facilitator training, and implement the Homeless 
Diversion Program model.
  Whereas, Elvia is a true example of courage and selflessness and her 
volunteer efforts continue to have a positive impact in the County of 
Yolo.
  Resolved, That I Congressman John Garamendi of California's Third 
Congressional District, do hereby recognize and celebrate the 
accomplishments of Elvia Garcia.

                          ____________________