[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO KILJOO LEE KURUMADA--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF 
                                THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 12, 2018

  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, Kiljoo Lee 
Kurumada of La Crescenta, California.
   Kiljoo was born in China and raised in South Korea. In 1967, she 
graduated from the Seoul National University College of Music and in 
1969, she moved to the United States.
   In 1983, Ms. Kurumada co-founded the Korean Resource Center (KRC), 
an extraordinary non-profit organization, whose goal is to empower 
immigrant, low-income, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and minority 
communities in Southern California. By using a holistic approach, this 
distinguished organization endeavors to support these communities by 
incorporating culture, services, education, coalition-building and 
organizing toward improving their lives.
   Ms. Kurumada has taken on a prominent leadership role in the Korean-
American community. She served as KRC board chair for more than two 
decades, and also served as founding board chair of the National Korean 
American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), a grassroots 
organization that promotes the active and organized participation of 
Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social and economic justice.
   During her long tenure at the Korean Resource Center, where she 
currently volunteers two days a week helping low-income families and 
seniors with general inquiries, Ms. Kurumada and her colleagues have 
championed numerous causes, including access to health insurance, 
affordable housing, voter registration, senior advocacy, youth 
education and immigration reform.
   Kiljoo has lived in La Crescenta for over four decades. She is 
married to Stephen Kurumada, and they have two children, Jennifer and 
Michael, and four grandchildren.
   I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well-
respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Kiljoo Lee 
Kurumada.

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