[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 7, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 TRIBUTE TO KAREN FLOCK--CALIFORNIA'S 24TH CONGRESSIONAL WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

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                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2024

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year 
Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central 
Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to 
recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Karen 
Flock of Ventura, California.
  Karen Flock epitomizes a life of advocacy and service to marginalized 
people in our region. Her first exposure to advocacy was as a volunteer 
with the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) in 1973 and 1974, while she 
was a college student. Armed with a B.A. in Economics from Reed College 
in 1975, the UFW enlisted Karen to help Ventura County farm workers 
negotiate their collective bargaining agreements after they voted for 
UFW representation in elections conducted by the Agricultural Labor 
Relations Board.
  Karen dedicated five years to the UFW farm worker movement in Ventura 
County, then joined Channel Counties Legal Services to stand up for 
Rancho Sespe farm workers who were being evicted from their homes. 
These efforts to stop the evictions eventually led Karen to join Rodney 
Fernandez, who she worked with to create the Rancho Sespe Housing 
Complex on Highway 126 in Fillmore.
  Fernandez recruited Karen to work with him at Cabrillo Economic 
Development Corporation (CEDC), the purpose of developing homes for 
farm workers, low wage workers, seniors and the disabled. Karen rose 
from Project Manager to Real Estate Development Director, and her work 
with CEDC over the next thirty-five years fueled her passion and honed 
her affordable housing development skills into a lifelong career. In 
1986, Karen completed a National Internship in Community Economic 
Development, and in 2006-2008 she was recognized by NeighborWorks with 
America's Harvard Award for excellence in Community Development.
  In 2016, Karen took her skills to the San Buenaventura Housing 
Authority, and is currently the Real Estate Development Director, where 
she leads the agency's efforts to create new affordable housing 
developments. In this role, she has been a tireless activist and a 
major player in protecting the homeless population of Ventura. She 
believes that homelessness must be addressed by providing housing for 
people.
  On October 18, 2023, Karen received the 1st Annual Carmen Ramirez 
Housing Advocacy Award from H.O.M.E (Housing Opportunities Made 
Easier). She also received the El Concilio del Condado de Ventura 16th 
Annual Latino Leadership Award for Community Service.
  I am honored to recognize Karen Flock for her continued commitment 
and tireless efforts to provide affordable housing on the Central 
Coast. I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an exceptional 
woman of California's 24th Congressional District, Karen Flock, for her 
incredible service to her community.

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