[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE CAREER OF DEEPA WILLINGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2018

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate Deepa Willingham 
for receiving the 2018 United Nations Association of Santa Barbara 
Peace Prize.
  Mrs. Willingham was born in Kolkata, India and received her primary 
and secondary education under the stewardship of Mother Teresa. After 
receiving an undergraduate degree from the University of Calcutta, she 
moved to the United States to pursue Masters and Ph.D. degrees.
  Mrs. Willingham has dedicated her life to empowering girls and women 
through education. She founded Pace Universal, a non-profit 
organization that works to end human-trafficking, elevate women and 
children from poverty, and uplift communities. She opened an 
environmentally sustainable school for more than 200 girls at the 
Piyali Learning Center in the rural Indian village of Piyali Junction.
  Mrs. Willingham has been a leader in Santa Barbara County through her 
roles as President of Rotary Club of Santa Ynez Valley as well as 
Rotary International District Governor. While president, she was named 
Rotarian of the year and chaired two Rotary Districts Annual Poverty 
Conferences, during which she helped to initiate its 5-point poverty-
eradication plan. Mrs. Willingham has participated in volunteer efforts 
internationally by attending National Immunization Day in India and 
traveling to Mexico to construct cement floors.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join with the United Nations Association 
of Santa Barbara in celebrating the exemplary career of Deepa 
Willingham as she receives the 2018 Peace Prize.

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