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




 TRIBUTE TO RHONDA REYNOLDS--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, Rhonda Reynolds of the Echo Park 
neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
  Born and raised in Indiana, Rhonda attended Indiana University 
Bloomington, where she met her future husband, Rob Rowe. After 
graduation, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she was a founding 
member of a theater company. In 1993, Rhonda moved from Chicago to Los 
Angeles, and she and her husband first settled in Silver Lake, and then 
in 2000, into their home in Echo Park.
  In 2004, Rhonda and Rob opened Masa of Echo Park Bakery and Cafe, a 
family-owned restaurant that specializes in Chicago-style pizza. Masa 
is a beloved community-minded restaurant that ``feels like home'' for 
employees and customers, a place for friendship and food. Rhonda is 
honored and grateful to share in the lives of the Masa family. Through 
first dates and chance meetings at the restaurant that have turned into 
engagements and marriages, the people at Masa bring her great joy and 
have become her extended family.
  Crediting her teacher parents' philosophy of embracing a larger sense 
of community, Ms. Reynolds is actively involved in her neighborhood, 
working to nurture growth and foster relationships with fellow business 
owners, schools, and neighborhood groups. She has devoted countless 
hours volunteering on local committees and non-profit organizations. 
Rhonda is President of the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce, a member of 
the Rampart Community Advisory Board, a member of the Preserve Echo 
Park Lake group, and a Board Member of a children's literacy/animal 
welfare non-profit, Reading to the Rescue.
  Past involvement includes serving on the Dodgers Neighborhood 
Community Advisory Board, the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood 
Council's Governmental and External Affairs Committee, the Echo Park 
Film District Planning Committee, the FILM LA Community Relations 
Subcommittee representing Echo Park, and a block captain for the 
UNTAG--Uniting Neighborhoods to Abolish Graffiti--program. In addition, 
Rhonda and her husband donate food and supplies from their restaurant 
to numerous nonprofit events. Rhonda and Rob have 2 mixed-breed rescue 
dogs, Mimi and Marty.
  I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well-
respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Rhonda 
Reynolds.

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