[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 172 (Friday, October 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE CAREER OF LILIA GONZALES CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 19, 2018

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career achievements 
of Ms. Lilia Gonzales Chavez. Lilia is being honored by Arte Americas 
with the Armando Rodriguez Legacy Award, in honor of her dedication and 
commitment to the preservation of the arts of California's Central 
Valley. This award is given to a person who has broken barriers in 
civil rights, education, and/or the promotion of the arts to the 
broader community and selflessly promoted the advancement of the 
underrepresented. It is both fitting and appropriate that we honor 
Lilia today for her years of service to our Valley.
  Lilia, a native of Fresno, attended California State University, 
Fresno and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development 
and a master's degree in Administrative Leadership from Fresno Pacific 
University.
  In 1987, Lilia co-founded Arte Americas and for nearly ten years 
served as their director. Arte Americas is currently the Valley's 
largest non-profit Latino Cultural Center. After her time at Arte 
Americas, Lilia took on a new challenge. In 2011, she was appointed as 
the Executive Director of the Fresno Arts Council. Lilia has also 
served on the board of the Fresno Art Museum, the board of the Fresno 
Arts Council and is a key member of the League of Mexican-American 
Women in Fresno where she serves as Chairperson of the Scholarship 
Committee.
  Lilia has worked as an educator at Fresno City College where she 
taught child development and psychology. Lilia also worked with the 
County of Fresno as an Administrative Analyst and Coordinator of the 
Inter-Agency Council for Children and Families, where she assisted many 
underserved communities throughout Fresno County.
  An achievement that Lilia is most proud of was being appointed by 
Governor Jerry Brown to serve as a Trustee on the Board for California 
State Summer School for the Arts, serving on the Dean's Advisory 
Council for the Department of Arts and Humanities at California State 
University, Fresno and the California State University Summer Arts 
Advisory Board.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Mrs. 
Lilia Gonzales Chavez for receiving the Armando Rodriguez Legacy Award. 
Lilia has been an inspiration, not only through her professional 
achievements, but also through the community leadership throughout the 
years. I ask that you join me in wishing Lilia and her family continued 
success and prosperity.