[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 60 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO MEDEA KALOGNOMOS--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 13, 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, Medea 
Kalognomos of Sunland, California.
   In 1962, Medea moved to the United States from Iran to pursue her 
education. After graduating from Belmont High School in Los Angeles, 
she attended North Carolina State University and Point Loma Nazarene 
University in California, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in French and a 
Master's Degree in Pupil Personnel Services.
   Medea fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a school teacher when 
she was hired by the Glendale Unified School District, where she worked 
for a quarter of a century. She taught French and English as a Second 
Language (ESL) at Eleanor J. Toll Middle School, and then became an ESL 
Program Specialist at Eleanor J. Toll Middle School and Woodrow Wilson 
Middle School, and was also a Counselor at Glendale High School, where 
she patiently and compassionately advised students. She also guided 
many immigrant students and made a lasting impact in their lives, by 
instilling in them the importance of civic involvement and education.
   An avid student advocate and civic leader, Ms. Kalognomos has 
dedicated countless hours to the community, and has served in over 
sixteen community and academic organizations in the past thirty-five 
years. Currently, she is a member of the Armenian Educational 
Foundation, the Armenian National Committee of America--Western Region 
Education Committee, and co-president of the Committee for Armenian 
Students in Public Schools, which is an organization that has been a 
positive influence and inspiration to students in public schools. Most 
recently, Medea served as chairperson of the Committee for Armenian 
Students in Public Schools Leadership Workshop, where Glendale Unified 
School District and Los Angeles Unified School District high school 
juniors with a 3.5 and higher grade point average gathered to learn 
valuable leadership skills and the importance of volunteering in the 
community. In addition to her tireless service in the local 
communities, Medea has volunteered at schools, orphanages and hospitals 
in Armenia for many years.
   Medea's extraordinary work has not gone unnoticed as she has been 
recognized with numerous awards, including the Ruby Award from the 
Soroptimist International of the Verdugos.
   Ms. Kalognomos has been married to Sergeant Major Alexander 
Kalognomos for 50 years, and they have two children, Alex and Helen.
   I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well-
respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Medea 
Kalognomos.

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