[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E715-E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO ALEXA ILES SKARPELOS--30TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF 
                                THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2023

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we pay special tribute to 
the contributions and sacrifices made by our nation's women during 
Women's History Month. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding 
women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would 
like to recognize a remarkable woman, Alexa Iles Skarpelos of 
Hollywood, California.
  Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Alexa studied design at 
Western Washington University and spent the next two decades working as 
a Design Director for global brands such as Guess and Levis. In 2000, 
she and her husband, George moved to Hollywood and welcomed their 
daughter, Athena a few months later.
  Ms. Skarpelos is dedicated to creating opportunities for civic 
engagement by developing meaningful partnerships between the community 
and government officials, and providing space for productive and candid 
communication. A tireless volunteer, she is the organizer of many 
successful annual community events. For several years, she has led the 
Hollywood Dell Summer Block Party and Pet Parade, now in its 17th year, 
and the Hollywood National Night Out event. Alexa has also coordinated 
an annual neighborhood Halloween celebration, a Hollywood Dell Art Show 
and neighborhood cleanup days. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she 
encouraged her neighbors to create and display artwork in front of 
their homes made from materials on hand for the ``Hollywood Dell Shows 
the LOVE'' campaign and shared some of her ``Recipes for Disaster'' in 
neighborhood email news updates.
  Alexa belongs to several civic organizations, including the Hollywood 
Dell Civic Association, where she served as Secretary for eight years, 
and currently serves as President. She also served as Secretary for 
several years and was recently appointed as the Civilian Co-Chair for 
the Hollywood Community-Police Advisory Board.
  Among her numerous community achievements, Ms. Skarpelos led the 
grassroots effort

[[Page E716]]

to preserve a beloved neighborhood trail that was slated for 
development. As Co-Chair of the Friends of La Rocha Trail, she raised 
awareness and funds to preserve it as a dedicated green space under the 
supervision of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. 
Alexa also joined in the effort to establish the Franklin Ivar Park 
located on a former neglected empty lot.
  I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well-
respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Alexa Iles 
Skarpelos.

                          ____________________