[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 185 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMEMORATING SANTA CLARA CITY LIBRARIAN PATTY WONG

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RO KHANNA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 21, 2021

  Mr. KHANNA. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate my 
constituent, Patty Wong, on becoming the first Asian American librarian 
to serve as the President of the American Library Association--an 
organization dedicated to improving learning opportunities and 
information across the country.
  I am grateful for Ms. Wong's service in my district as the City 
Librarian for the Santa Clara Public Library. She has dedicated her 37-
year career to improving our communities by serving as an award-winning 
librarian in institutions throughout California, and also as a part-
time faculty member educating hundreds of undergraduates at San Jose 
State University.
  From serving as a school librarian, children's librarian, and a 
special librarian in places including Stockton-San Joaquin County 
Public Library, Oakland Public Library and Berkeley Public Library, she 
has used every opportunity she could find to pour her heart and soul 
into community service. Her work on equity and diversity, youth 
development, fundraising, and creating collaborations between libraries 
and community agencies are inspiring to us all.
  In each of her roles, Ms. Wong has stood out as a leader who is 
dedicated to making the world a better place. When the pandemic struck, 
Ms. Wong spearheaded efforts to support weekly food distribution 
programs, hosted COVID-19 testing at libraries, and partnered with 
Stanford Blood Mobile to collect blood donations. Our community owes 
her a debt of gratitude for this selfless work.
  Ms. Wong is exceptional in her history of working in libraries and 
her passion for community service. I am delighted to see her 
extraordinary talents in this new role recognized as the new President 
of the American Library Association. I wish her the best of luck on 
this exciting new endeavor.

                          ____________________