[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E303-E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CAROL HUCHINGSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 26, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Carol J. Huchingson, whom I have named the 2021 Woman of the Year in 
Lake County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have 
made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District 
in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and 
Innovation or Community Service.
  A Northern California native, Ms. Huchingson earned her Bachelor and 
Master of Arts degrees in Social Welfare and Education, with special 
studies in Human Services Administration, from Humboldt State 
University in 1990. She worked for the County of Lake Department of 
Social Services as Director from 1994-2016 and currently works as 
County Administrative Officer.
  Ms. Huchingson worked to revamp Lake County's Department of Social 
Services into an organization that effectively responds to the needs of 
our community members and efficiently reacts in times of disaster. 
Similarly, during her time as County Administrative officer, she 
advocated to strengthen our county's government workforce by increasing 
training and developing better relationships with labor organizations.
  Ms. Huchingson was also an active leader during the 2015 Valley Fire, 
the 2016 Clayton Fire, the 2017 Wine Country Fire, the 2018 Mendocino 
Fire, and the 2020 August Complex Fire. Her leadership helped our 
community through difficult times. Due to Ms. Huchingson's initiative 
and commitment, Lake County is making its way to economic viability and 
recovery after these horrific disasters.
  As COVID-19 has recently hindered local involvement in government, 
Ms. Huchingson led a team that developed a new, award-winning hybrid 
approach to public meetings. In August of 2020, six Board of 
Supervisors and

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Virtual Community Meetings averaged 12,000 participants and viewers, 
which is equivalent to 18 percent of Lake County's population. Through 
her work, local governments will now be able to increase community 
participation as already seen in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
  Ms. Huchingson has made a great impact on our community by serving in 
our government and has devoted countless hours during her 21-year 
career. Our community is better for all of Ms. Huchingson's 
contributions and it is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her 
today as Lake County's 2021 Woman of the Year.

                          ____________________