[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO CHANCHANIT MARTORELL--30TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF 
                                THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 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, Chanchanit Martorell of the Park 
La Brea neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
  Ms. Martorell was born in Thailand and raised in Los Angeles. She 
attended the University of California, Los Angeles where she received a 
bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in urban 
planning. She was also conferred an honorary doctorate degree in social 
work from Pacific Oaks College.
  For over 3 decades, Chanchanit has been involved in social activism. 
In the early 1990s, she documented the demographics and human and 
social service needs of Thais in Los Angeles in a landmark community 
needs assessment study to advocate for more resources in underserved 
communities. Currently, Ms. Martorell serves as Executive Director of 
the Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC). She established this 
non-profit organization in 1994 with the goal to improve the lives of 
Thai immigrants through services that promote economic self-sufficiency 
and cultural adjustment. In 1999, Thai CDC, under Chanchanit's 
leadership, played a role in the 8-year long community organizing 
campaign which raised community awareness and led to the designation of 
the first Thai Town in the country in East Hollywood.
  Devoted to social and economic justice, Chanchanit actively serves in 
an array of capacities, including the Los Angeles County District 
Attorney Asian American Pacific Islander Advisory Board and Los Angeles 
Food Policy Council Leadership Circle. She is also the co-founder of 
the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, the Rotary Club of 
Thai Town, the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, the Asian 
Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force, and the National 
Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. Ms. 
Martorell is most notably known for her work on more than 6 major human 
rights cases involving more than 2,000 Thai victims of human 
trafficking who were discovered working in conditions of slavery in the 
United States. Her advocacy on behalf of the victims and the success of 
each case led her to become an in-demand spokesperson and leading 
expert on the issue of modern-day slavery.
  Chanchanit has received numerous awards and honors for her 
exceptional service to the community, including the Asian Americans for 
Equality ``Dream of Equality'' Award, KCET Unsung Hero Award, Asian 
Pacific American Labor Alliance Distinguished Service Award, Los 
Angeles Women's Foundation Mentor Award, Phenomenal Woman Award from 
California State University, Northridge, the Asian Pacific American 
Institute for Congressional Studies Award, and the Royal Decoration of 
the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn from His Late Majesty 
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Ms. Martorell has been married to 
her husband, Esteban Martorell since 1994 and has 2 grown sons.
  I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well-
respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Chanchanit 
Martorell.

                          ____________________