[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF GLORIA ``GLO'' DONNELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE GARCIA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 2022

  Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the 
life and contributions of Gloria ``Glo'' Donnelly. Alongside her 
husband, Art, Glo was instrumental in the founding of the City of Santa 
Clarita in the 1980s. After a lifetime of activism and community 
involvement, Glo passed away this summer, but we continue to honor her 
legacy as one of Santa Clarita's founders.
  A long-time resident of Santa Clarita before it was incorporated as a 
city, and a prominent Valencia realtor, Glo Donnelly played a crucial 
role in the formation of a city now home to more than 200,000 people. 
When the area that would become Santa Clarita grew from a farming 
community to a burgeoning suburb in the second half of the 20th 
century, Gloria was a leading voice among many like-minded community 
members who advocated for self-governance. Her and her husband Art, as 
co-chairs of the Santa Clarita Formation Committee, worked hard to win 
support for the formation of the city by spreading awareness and 
raising funds to make the dream of Santa Clarita come true. When Santa 
Clarita won cityhood and the first city council was elected, Glo and 
Art worked hand-in-hand with the newly elected city leaders to ensure 
that Santa Clarita got off to a smooth start.
  Glo's community leadership and involvement did not end with Santa 
Clarita's incorporation as a city. She was also the spokeswoman for the 
Santa Clarita Valley Association of Realtors, as well as the Chair of 
the Whittaker-Bermite Citizens Advisory Group. In both roles she 
prioritized giving community members a voice and always put the 
interests of Santa Clarita first. In her retirement from real estate, 
she remained active in Santa Clarita civics and the charitable 
community.
  Glo leaves behind a monumental legacy, and in many ways every single 
resident of Santa Clarita owes her a debt of gratitude for her tireless 
work to make Santa Clarita what it is today. We will continue to honor 
her service as one of Santa Clarita's founders, and we offer our 
condolences to her loved ones.

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