[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 56 (Monday, April 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E381-E382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING KAREN COLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 1, 2019

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Karen Collins as the 2019 Honorary Alcaldessa for the City of Sonoma, 
California. Ms. Collins has been named Alcaldessa, the Spanish word for 
mayor, in recognition of her contributions to our community.
  Ms. Collins is originally from Washington State. She earned a 
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Whitworth 
College, a Master of Arts in American Government from George Washington 
University and a junior college teaching credential from San Francisco 
State University. She is also a graduate of the Public Affairs 
Institute of Washington, D.C.
  Ms. Collins is a tireless advocate for the preservation and 
protection of the environment and has worked diligently towards this 
goal. She is a current Commissioner of the Sonoma County Regional Parks 
and Recreation Commission, which she has also chaired three times. Ms. 
Collins serves as Vice President of the Board of Jack London Park 
Partners and chairs its government relations committee.

[[Page E382]]

  Ms. Collins was appointed to the California Recreational Trails 
Committee in 1998 and served as chair for two years of her four-year 
term. She has also served on Sonoma's Environmental Advisory Commission 
and was a past Bicycling and Hiking Trails Advisor where she 
represented Sonoma's interest on the County Transportation Commission. 
Additionally, Ms. Collins served on the boards of Yosemite National 
Institutes, the Headlands Institute and the Bay Area Ridge Trail. She 
is also a former chair of the California Recreational Trails Committee.
  In addition to her environmental advocacy, Ms. Collins has also 
supported the arts and women's health care in our community. She helped 
establish a women's health program at Sonoma Valley Hospital and has 
served on the board of the Hospital's foundation. Ms. Collins has 
chaired Salute to the Arts and served on the Sonoma Community Center 
Board.
  Madam Speaker, Ms. Collins is the committed volunteer and dedicated 
community member we should all strive to be. She has spent countless 
hours advocating for our community. It is therefore fitting and proper 
that we honor Karen Collins as Sonoma's 44th Honorary Alcaldessa.

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