[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 204 (Tuesday, January 3, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                 HONORING THE CAREER OF MICHELLE ROMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 3, 2023

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of 
Michelle Roman for 10 years of dedication and leadership on the 
Kingsburg City Council.
  Throughout her distinguished career, Michelle Roman has been a 
pioneer for women within local politics. She was the first female Mayor 
Pro-tem and Mayor for the City of Kingsburg. She was also the first 
female to chair the Fresno County Council of Governments and Fresno 
County Rural Transportation Authority. Consistently breaking down the 
barriers of gender norms, Michelle Roman has become an inspiration for 
women throughout the Central Valley.
  Ms. Roman has a relentless passion for serving the community. 
Following her prior roles, Ms. Roman has served as the chair of Selma 
Kingsburg Fowler (SKF) County Sanitation District. A proven leader, 
Michelle was then elected to serve on the board for the State 
California Association of Sanitation Agencies, also known as CASA.
  Throughout her ten years on City Council, she was able to complete 
many projects, including: establishing Kingsburg's first skateboard 
park, a new trolley for transportation, started the Kingsburg Youth 
Council, added a youth Commissioner to the city's Community Services 
Committee, created a mini mural project which added six new murals to 
Kingsburg's beautiful downtown area, and was instrumental in bringing 
T-Mobile to the city, which provided over 1,000 jobs.
  She also created incentives for new businesses which have attracted 
many other businesses that are new to the city and have resulted in a 
waiting list for those wanting to open a business in town. Ms. Roman's 
efforts were vital in establishing a city tour for 3rd grade classrooms 
in Kingsburg, which inspired other cities to follow suit. During the 
COVID-19 pandemic, she worked hard with state and county elected 
officials for Kingsburg to receive its own vaccination clinic and 
assisted local businesses with writing grants to ensure they received 
funding to survive, when so many businesses were forced to close. She 
also started the first Fresno County Elected Women's Dinners, which 
brought together all elected women in Fresno County for networking, 
fellowship and mentoring new elected women.
  Ms. Roman has been married to her husband, John, for almost 24 years 
and they have two kids, Justin and Lindsey. Their family has rescued 2 
dogs, Nani and Ash.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Michelle 
Roman for her retirement. May we continue to be inspired by her story.

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