[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1027-E1030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE 2020 WOMEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2020

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2020 Women of 
the Year. The honorees represent some of the most outstanding and 
dedicated women in the 3rd Congressional District. Nominated by their 
peers, these women and the leadership they have provided are being 
recognized for playing an integral and crucial role in improving the 
lives of everyone in their communities. This year, we mark the 100th 
anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and 
protecting women's constitutional right to vote. Since then, our nation 
has seen women take great strides in every American industry from 
business to politics to the arts. This progress has not come easy and 
many women who have come before have worked hard and strived to achieve 
the independence and rights women have today. Though there is more work 
to be done to ensure that women have equal pay, flexible work 
schedules, and affordable education, each of the honorees will be a 
vital part of the of the work to get there.
  2020's Women of the Year are:
  Judi Booe is a long-time community supporter whose impact is seen and 
felt by many. As a semi-retired administrative staff member for the 
Collinsville Levee District, Judi works closely with community members 
and vendors. Formerly a resident of both Las Vegas, NV and Richmond, 
VA, Judi's community influence has followed wherever she has been. She 
is a supporter and board member of many local nonprofits in her 
community, including the Solano Symphony, Child Haven, Habitat for 
Humanity, the Vaca Arts Council, and so many others. Her dedication, 
compassion, and expertise make her well suited to the work she does 
assisting non-profits to review their by-laws and maintain crucial 
records. Judi has a generous heart and is the first to offer guidance 
or direction in any given situation. She leads by example in every 
setting and is an inspiration to all her peers. Her drive and 
generosity have earned her numerous awards, including the Solano 
Symphony League 2015 Volunteer of the Year, the Women's Club of 
Summerlin 2004 Award of Excellence, Habitat for Humanity Volunteer of 
the Year, and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Citizen of 
the Year award. Judi's leadership has made a positive impact on non-
profits and community organizations across the country.
  Wendy Breckon is a dedicated public servant who is tirelessly 
committed to improving her community. Wendy began her public service as 
an environmental specialist for the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, before deciding to pursue a law degree. As an attorney, she 
continued her governmental work, both prosecuting and defending 
administrative cases for state agencies, and reviewing contracts. She 
recently retired as an Administrative Law Judge for the California 
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. She is an expert on employer tax 
cases and used her expertise to educate other judges on the subject. 
Wendy is the founder and current chair of the Vacaville Community 
Association, an organization which advocates for increased transparency 
and accountability in local government. Under her leadership, the group 
was instrumental in bringing about policy change at the city level. 
Wendy also helped found Vacavillians for Fiscal Health and continues to 
lend her expertise on governmental budgets to the organization, 
advocating for fiscal accountability at the city level. Wendy's 
dedication to public service, civic engagement, and improving her 
community is an inspiration to all her peers.
  Aimee Brewer is a guiding force in her community with a passion for 
ensuring that all individuals live healthy, productive lives. She has 
put this passion to work at NorthBay Healthcare Group, a community-
based organization that takes in everyone in need of care, regardless 
of their financial situation. It is her true calling to make a 
difference in her patients' lives every day. As president of the 
NorthBay Healthcare Group, her leadership has led to the launch of 
neurosurgery and robotic surgery programs, the advent of two community 
urgent care clinics, and the opening of a new state-of-the-art hospital 
wing. During the early weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak, Aimee lead the 
NorthBay Command Center team and maintained critical relationships with 
local, state, and federal agencies, where she promoted the first and 
most robust safety measures of any hospital. Throughout the pandemic, 
she has been an integral part of her community's COVID-19 response. Her 
leadership also stretches beyond the NorthBay Healthcare Group to many 
community organizations. She serves as Chair of the Solano Coalition 
for Better Health, Section Chair of the Northern & Central California 
Hospital Council, and a member of the board for Touro University 
California, Partnership HealthPlan, and the Solano Economic Development 
Corporation. Aimee brings strong leadership, boundless compassion, and 
unwavering generosity to all she does.
  Ms. Brenda Cameron is a selfless community servant who has dedicated 
her time and energy to countless youth organizations across her 
community. When not working in the UC Davis Evolution and Ecology 
Department as a lab manager, she has spent her time volunteering with 
organizations such as the Davis Senior High School Grad Night, Davis 
youth baseball and softball leagues, the Davis Comic Opera Company, and 
the Girl Scouts of the USA. Over the years, Brenda has worked closely 
with the Davis Girl Scouts and the Girl Scouts Heart of Central 
California

[[Page E1028]]

Council. She became involved with the organization in 1999 and spent 
the next 13 years as a troop leader. In 2016, she began serving as the 
Davis Service Unit Coordinator where she has worked tirelessly to 
create an improved experience for Girl Scouts in her community. She 
recently participated in an experience with Girl Scouts and NASA where 
she learned new ways to encourage young women to get involved in STEM 
fields. Brenda brought what she learned back to the Davis Girl Scouts 
where she has helped introduce girls in her community to STEM fields 
through firsthand experiences. Her many acts of volunteerism have 
touched the lives of countless girls and young women throughout her 
community and inspired them to achieve their goals and go on to become 
young leaders in their own right.
  Adrian Carpenter-McKinney has long been an active member of her 
community. Adrian's upbringing and experiences instilled in her a deep 
desire to serve communities like hers and help anyone who faced similar 
adversity. After attaining her law degree, Adrian became a respected 
prosecutor both in the District Attorney's office and as a Deputy City 
Attorney for Sacramento. These positions also allowed her to pursue her 
passion for community involvement and civic engagement. She served as a 
Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary within Governor Brown's administration 
where she reviewed potential legislation and counselled the Governor on 
paroles and commutations. She later started her own consulting firm, 
where she works to empower young women to take on leadership positions 
within their community. She also serves as an advisor to Breakthrough 
Sacramento, a program that she previously participated in herself, 
where she encourages and assists disadvantaged young students to expand 
their worldview and works with them to achieve their goals. Adrian also 
serves on the Board for the Wiley W. Manuel Bar Association, where she 
has created mentorship programs to support African American law 
students reach their maximum potential. Adrian has a true passion for 
serving others and has been a part of numerous community organizations, 
including AmeriCorps, National Night Out, and the Veterans Stand Down, 
where she provided legal advice to homeless veterans in the greater 
Sacramento area. Her work within her community demonstrates her 
compassion, enthusiasm, and dedication to helping others.
  Kristine Cassidy has spent many years shaping Adventist Health with 
her influence and passion. Her ability to navigate changes and apply 
innovative thinking has earned her a distinguished career. Many of 
Kristine's achievements are not widely known, as she rarely seeks the 
spotlight and instead defers praise to her staff. She has guided 
Adventist Health through an intense period of change as they gained an 
affiliation with a new organization, assisted with recovery efforts 
during the Camp Fire, and became a driving force during the recent 
COVID-19 pandemic. Kristine's commitment to service is an inspiration 
to all as she consistently works to achieve important community goals 
and create a better life for everyone in the Yuba-Sutter community. 
Kristine started at Adventist Health 31 years ago, where she began 
enhancing dietetic services and developing high levels of food service 
management. Kristine was then asked to take over Rideout's Assisted 
Living Services where she elevated it to the premier choice for 
individuals seeking assisted living and increased its performance to 
unprecedented levels. Kristine is known to leave every department 
better than she found it, act as a quiet and steady leader, and is a 
vital member of her community. Outside of her leadership within 
Adventist Health, Kristine served as chair of the board of the Yuba-
Sutter Chamber of Commerce where her vision, hard work, and leadership 
can still be seen through the effective and growing Chamber today. She 
has also given her time to the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank, the Yuba City 
High School girls basketball team, and the Yuba College District. 
Kristine has been a mentor to countless young women and her leadership 
in the community will be felt for years to come.
  Denise Conrado is an activist and dedicated volunteer within her 
community. Currently serving as the co-leader of Indivisible Colusa 
County, Denise plays a crucial role in raising the profile of 
progressive voices and values within Colusa County. Through hard work, 
determination, and focus, she has spent over two years organizing 
monthly events for Indivisible Colusa, including Conversations with 
Community Leaders, a public forum where local leaders and activists 
come together to find common ground on critical issues to both Colusa 
County and to the country as a whole. Furthermore, Denise is a founding 
member of the Colusa County Democratic Central Committee, where she 
served as Treasurer until August when she decided to run for Colusa 
City Council. Activism work is not the only place that Denise shines. 
She is also a dedicated advocate for children, having had a successful 
career as a school administrator, she volunteers her time with youth 
organizations and lends her voice to issues impacting children. Denise 
has consistently worked in her community to promote civic engagement 
and her optimism, passion, and empathy for others have inspired 
everyone around her to become forces for good in the community.

  Stacey Costello is a talented and passionate community servant whose 
hard work and dedication have completely transformed the presence and 
role of her local county library. For the last five years, Stacey has 
been the Director of Library Services in Colusa County where she has 
enhanced existing programs, created new programs, remodeled the 
library, and worked tirelessly to ensure the library remains an 
integral part of the community. Some of her additions include a summer 
free lunch program for children under 18, a financial literacy program, 
a U.S. Census hub, and annual citizenship workshops. During the trying 
times of adjusting to life with a global pandemic, Stacey quickly 
adapted to the regulations that affected the library. She made story 
times digital, established curbside pick-up services, and implemented 
an appointment system so individuals would still have access to 
computers, copiers, and other library resources. Stacey's impressive 
efforts earned her the California State Library's ``Outstanding 
Librarian in Support of Literacy'' award in 2018 and a place on the 
Virginia Yerxa Community Read committee, which she now runs. She has 
transformed the role of the local library from a place where books are 
stored to an active community center that caters to adults and children 
of all ages and abilities. Her creative talent and ability to spread 
her positive energy to others has made her a crucial asset to her 
community.
  Yvonne Cox is a beloved figure in her community. Living in an area 
faced with high rates of crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and poverty, 
she made it her goal to provide children and young adults with a safe 
place within their community. She understood the importance of 
providing young adults a supportive location with understanding people 
to turn to when they were not in school. In 1999, she launched a weekly 
Tuesday dinner for anyone and everyone who cared to join. In 21 years, 
Yvonne has never skipped a Tuesday. Her motto is ``Come and serve or be 
served'' and she ensures that everyone knows they can find a safe place 
with her. This achievement has not received any financial support or 
recognition, nor has Yvonne ever asked for assistance. Outside of her 
work helping the youth in her community, Yvonne owns a cafe that 
enables her to further help those in need. She opens her parking lot to 
trailers and cars for evacuees during wildfires, opens her cafe as a 
warm place for food in the winter months, and has even opened her home 
to six children under the age of 14 to call their home. Yvonne works 
closely with many other organizations, including North Coast 
Opportunities (NCO), Clearlake Senior Center, Sunrise Special Services, 
and many local grocery stores and markets. Yvonne's selflessness is an 
inspiration to many within her community. She is a positive role model 
for children and adults alike, demonstrating what it means to be a 
selfless, empathetic, and passionate member of the community.
  Lois Cross' work in our community has enriched the lives of countless 
residents from all walks of life. As the System Line Director for 
Sutter Health and a Sutter Medical Foundation leader she has 
dramatically expanded the Walk-In Clinic (WIC) network, overseeing the 
opening of 10 WIC's in the Valley Operating Unit alone. She now directs 
the 27 Walk-In Clinics throughout the Sutter Health footprint. With the 
arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, her role and responsibilities have 
only increased. By partnering with local military bases, Travis AFB and 
Beale AFB, Lois has been able to provide video visits to military 
personnel for evening and weekend care, connecting 15,000 military 
service members and their families. Beyond her professional work, Lois 
has served as the President of the Dixon Rotary Club, Assistant 
District Governor for Rotary District 5160, President of the American 
Case Management Association for Northern California, Professor at 
Samuel Merritt School of Nursing, and as a national speaker on the 
topic of the Affordable Care Act. Furthermore, Lois stands out for her 
emphasis on the professional development of others; she cares deeply 
for her teams and works tirelessly to make sure others have 
professional development and training opportunities. It is precisely 
this caring and generous mindset that has enabled her to have a 
positive impact on thousands of lives throughout the district.
  Rachel Davidson consistently brings care, compassion, and dedication 
to the work she does. Six years ago, Rachel began as a Case Manager for 
the Sacramento Downtown Streets Program where she worked with 
individuals facing homelessness to find the care and resources they 
need. Through her demonstrated hard work and respect for the 
organization's mission, she became the Sacramento Area Director. 
Through her work, she has helped thousands of Californians find new

[[Page E1029]]

hope by guiding them out of homelessness, and into steady employment. 
Her work enables those in need to find the resources that can help them 
get back on their feet. Rachel treats everyone she meets with the same 
respect and compassion, regardless of their situation in life. This 
caring attitude makes her an invaluable member of her organization and 
a universally respected leader. The work she does empowering those 
facing homelessness has not only shaped the lives of countless 
individuals but has had a far-reaching impact on the larger community.
  Narinder Dhaliwal has served her adopted community of Yuba City in a 
profound and meaningful way since first immigrating from England in 
1995. Narinder has spent her career in the field of public health and 
has worked tirelessly to promote improved health and quality of life 
for all those in her community and beyond. As Project Director for the 
Education, Training & Research program of California's Clean Air 
Project, she devoted her passion and expertise to educating tribal 
communities and young students on the harmful effects of tobacco use 
and secondhand smoke. She has been recognized many times for her 
success promoting smoke-free environments and forging invaluable 
relationships with many of California's tribal communities based on 
compassion and mutual respect. Narinder has also served as a board 
member for numerous important organizations, such as the National Child 
Safety Board, the Peach Tree Health Care System, the Sutter Performing 
Arts Association, Friends of Yuba City Parks & Recreation, and she 
currently serves as President of the Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture Board 
of Directors. She has been instrumental in securing important grants 
enabling countless community projects and programs. Beyond her 
community service, Narinder is a role-model and mentor to women of all 
ages and backgrounds, and is known to be a kind and passionate force in 
her community.
  Anne Marie Flynn has dedicated her career to organizations aimed at 
helping those most in need. Anne Marie spent seven years working in 
community development abroad before returning to Davis where she 
brought her passion and expertise to her own community. Over the years 
she has worked with many non-profit organizations, including the Rural 
Community Services Corporation, the Yolo County Food Bank, and the UC 
Davis program for Regional Change. She is now the Community Development 
Officer for Mutual Housing California, where she has helped the 
organization become one of the highest-quality affordable housing 
developers in the state. Anne Marie has spearheaded numerous programs 
that have helped residents to improve their financial standing and 
given them a brighter outlook on higher education. She also oversees 
fundraising and grant-writing efforts, and advocates tirelessly for 
increased funding for affordable housing. Under her leadership, 
residents and staff have built a community around civic engagement that 
is actively invested in their future. Anne Marie is a talented and 
dedicated leader determined to build a strong and thriving community. 
During the COVID-19 pandemic she has put her skill and expertise to 
work, organizing the delivery of over 30,000 meals to her residents, 
and ensuring that everyone was taken care of. Outside of work, Anne 
Marie volunteers her time with organizations such as the Davis Phoenix 
Coalition and Show Up for Racial Justice, organizations that work 
towards a more just and equal society. Anne Marie is a passionate, 
dedicated, and kind community servant whose work has had an impact 
throughout her community and around the world.
  Andrea Garcia has brought hard work and dedication to everything she 
does; from the beginning of her career raising twins and pursuing 
higher education, to her current extensive involvement in community 
leadership. Andrea served as President of the Solano Soccer Club where 
she took the opportunity to keep children actively engaged in a 
community activity and ensured that they were surrounded by positive 
role models. Recently, she was appointed to the Diversity, Equity, and 
Inclusion Commission for the National U.S. Youth Soccer League. For 
years, Andrea has been a strong advocate for minority communities and 
worked tirelessly to promote diversity wherever she could. As President 
of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, she created an environment 
of inclusivity and empowerment and spearheaded the fundraising efforts 
for the ``Inspire Learning'' scholarship program which enabled Hispanic 
students to pursue higher education. As Associate Vice President of 
University Advancement for Touro University, Andrea helped create the 
Mosaic Celebration, a fundraiser which has raised over $500,000 and 
awarded scholarships to 25 students with diverse backgrounds to help 
with college tuition. Just this year, Andrea has been a part of 
multiple community efforts, lending her time and expertise to the Touro 
University Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission, and the Suisun 
City Economic Pandemic Impact Committee. Andrea is an accomplished 
community leader and role model with an unyielding work ethic, 
charitable heart, and compassionate disposition.
  Neena Gill will be remembered as a tireless community leader whose 
constant smile and ceaseless gratitude brought joy to all around her. A 
Punjabi immigrant, Neena was an integral part of the Yuba-Sutter 
community. She and her beloved husband Kash are known in the community 
for farming peaches, prunes, walnuts, and almonds. Neena was also known 
for her dedication to her students at the Yuba Community College. For 
the last 30 years she was an academic counselor and professor who 
advocated tirelessly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. She 
gave them the courage and direction to succeed in their academic 
endeavors and pursue their passions. She exemplified this to such a 
degree that Yuba College created the Neena Gill Spirit Award in her 
honor, to annually award one Yuba College member who displays spirit 
and love for their students. Neena was also a strong advocate for 
women's health, raising over $75,000 to procure a 3D Toma Imaging 
Machine to assist in Breast Cancer diagnoses. While she herself had her 
own battle with breast cancer, she did not let it inhibit her courage 
and relentless dedication to helping those in need. Neena's legacy will 
continue to reverberate within the campus of Yuba Community College and 
the greater Yuba-Sutter area. It is my distinct honor to award 
posthumously the 2020 Woman of the Year Award to Neena Gill.
  Nicole Howell devotes herself with unparalleled enthusiasm to making 
her community a better place, especially for the elderly, English as a 
Second Language learners, and those facing socio-economic hardship. Her 
choice of career was driven by the experiences and memory of her 
grandmother, a Native American woman who faced many of the same 
struggles Nicole works every day to alleviate. For well over a decade, 
she has worked within the non-profit sector building programs, teams, 
and resource networks to educate communities and combat ageism. 
Nicole's belief in the power and equity of shared leadership has 
allowed her to thrive as the Executive Director for Ombudsman Services 
of Contra Costa, Solano, and Alameda (OSCCSA), where she is responsible 
for ensuring that nearly 29,000 long-term care residents and their 
families have access to the highest level of care and are treated with 
respect and dignity. During her tenure as Executive Director, Nicole 
has grown the OSCCSA's budget by over 600 percent while spearheading 
new programs such as the Solano Elder Justice Program, Telephone 
Reassurance, Residents' Rights, and Healthcare Career Pathways. 
Furthermore, her passion, dedication, drive, and expertise have helped 
Solano County tremendously in combatting COVID-19 and protecting our 
communities' elderly. At the beginning of the pandemic, she worked to 
distribute PPE to over 15,000 residents in long-term care and educate 
the public on the risks of COVID-19 to older adults. Nicole's 
dedication to culture-changing initiatives and person-centered care 
philosophies have made her an indispensable part of building healthy 
communities. Her work advocating for some of our community's most 
vulnerable members has directly benefited countless individuals.
  Sara Johnson has been a staunch advocate for the disadvantaged and 
incarcerated in Yolo County. As head of the Post-Conviction Relief Unit 
of the Yolo County Public Defender's Office, Sara works tirelessly on 
behalf of rehabilitated and incarcerated individuals. She devotes her 
time and energy to giving hope and assistance to those in prison, 
ensuring that they are not left without help following a conviction. 
This work has always been important, but during the Coronavirus 
pandemic, her advocacy on behalf of medically vulnerable clients has 
been absolutely critical. She exhausted every option open to those 
seeking post-conviction relief and successfully secured the release of 
several eligible community members. As a Disaster Services Worker 
during the pandemic, Sara also worked with Project Room Key, the state 
effort to house at-risk homeless individuals and prevent the further 
spread of COVID-19. She oversaw the care of over 30 individuals 
affected by homelessness, advocating for their needs. She has also 
volunteered her time with the Yolo Food Bank and other efforts to 
assist those in need throughout her community. Sara is known by her 
peers as a model community servant whose work is both meaningful on an 
individual level as well as having far-reaching impact within her 
community.
  I congratulate each of them and commend them for their work. I am 
inspired by them and firmly believe when women succeed, America 
succeeds!

[[Page E1030]]

  


                    ORESTUS FLOWERS' 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAMES COMER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2020

  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Orestus Flowers 
of the First District of Kentucky who turned 100 years old on September 
7th. Mr. Flowers was born in Bow, Kentucky and continues to reside in 
the 1st District.
  Mr. Flowers served in the Army for 3.5 years and was stationed in the 
Philippines from 1942 to 1945. I stand with all Americans to 
congratulate him on years of bravery and sacrifice to preserve our 
safety and freedoms.
  On February 1, 1946, Mr. Flowers married Geraldine and together they 
have three daughters. A true entrepreneur, he was responsible for 
bringing Houchens Market to Burkesville in 1952 and served as manager 
for 32 years. Upon retiring from Houchens, he worked at Norris and New 
Funeral Home for the next 25 years.
  I join with everyone in Burkesville and throughout the Commonwealth 
who has had the privilege of knowing him to celebrate his fearless 
spirit. I am honored to represent Mr. Flowers and wish him a happy 
100th birthday.

                          ____________________