[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 114 (Thursday, July 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E943-E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING SUZANNE SMITH, RECIPIENT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 6, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. 
Suzanne Smith, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award 
for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the 
achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable 
contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, 
Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community 
Service. Ms. Smith is very deserving of this award and recognition.

[[Page E944]]

  Suzanne Smith was born in Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada and 
immigrated to the United States at the age of six. She is the 
successful Executive Director of the Sonoma County Transportation 
Authority and the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority.
  As Executive Director of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, 
Ms. Smith has orchestrated numerous projects, including the widening of 
Highway 101 and the development of the SMART rail line. She lobbied at 
the state and federal levels to secure funding for these projects while 
also securing a voter approved sales tax measure to support future 
transportation developments in Sonoma County. She is the founder of the 
Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA), where she 
helped establish a climate action plan in Sonoma County to reduce our 
greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020. The RCPA was recognized by 
President Barack Obama as one of sixteen Climate Action Champions in 
the United States.
  Suzanne Smith serves on the boards of the Red Cross, Leadership Santa 
Rosa, Tomorrow's Leaders Today and as a member of Sonoma County's 
Democratic Central Committee. Ms. Smith holds a BA in Political Science 
from the University of California, San Diego and an MPA from the 
University of San Francisco.
  Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Suzanne Smith for her achievements and 
for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor her 
here today with the American Dream Award.

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