[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 129 (Friday, August 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO REVEREND KATHY COOPER LEDESMA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 9, 2024

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Reverend Kathy 
Cooper Ledesma upon her retirement as the Co-Senior Pastor of the 
Hollywood United Methodist Church (HUMC), in Los Angeles, California.
  Reverend Kathy Cooper Ledesma received a Bachelor of Arts degree from 
Occidental College in 1982 and a Master of Divinity from the Claremont 
School of Theology in 1988. Upon completion of her education, Kathy 
began her service for the California Council of Churches, specializing 
in education and public policy. Under her outstanding direction as 
Board Chair, she accomplished several statewide projects on welfare 
reform faith-based childcare, and interfaith relations. In 2005, Rev. 
Cooper Ledesma brought her tremendous leadership skills to the 
University of Southern California Center for Religion and Civic Culture 
where she worked as a project specialist on issues related to faith 
communities and preschool for all, earning the Boutillier Award for 
Distinguished Ecumenical Service.
  Rev. Cooper Ledesma is an elder and leading force in the California-
Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church, as well a dedicated 
member of Hollywood 4WRD, a coalition supporting our unhoused 
neighbors. As one of the founding leaders of the Homeless Task Force of 
the Hollywood area faith entities (LA VOICE), Kathy welcomes all with 
unfailing compassion and limitless kindness, providing hygiene packs 
and meals for the unhoused population, ensuring that everyone is served 
both physically and spiritually. Her extensive work with the LGBTQ+ 
community during her time as the Chair of the Community Advisory Panel 
of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) HIV/AIDS Education 
and Prevention Unit has helped countless people, as has her service as 
the Co-Chair of the Bishop's Task Force on Children and Poverty and a 
member of the Los Angeles County's Safe Surrender Task Force.
  Founded in 1909, the Hollywood United Methodist Church has provided 
unwavering support and spiritual guidance to its congregants for over a 
century. Serving the Los Angeles United Methodist Church congregation 
since 2006, Rev. Cooper Ledesma has worked tirelessly to build faith 
and spirituality in the heart of Hollywood. For over thirty years, the 
HUMC has offered supportive services and pastoral counseling for 
persons and their family members living with HIV/AIDS. The church's 
installation of the enormous Red Ribbons of Love on both campuses, a 
universal symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV/
AIDS, shapes the sanctuary to be a place of ``hope and love.'' Kathy's 
bright spirit cultivates a vibrant and inclusive congregation that 
celebrates diversity. Under her leadership as Co-Senior Pastor, the 
HUMC has excelled in outreach towards young urban professionals, 
progressives, and families with children.
  Rev. Cooper Ledesma is a loving mother of two adult children with her 
late husband, Rev. Rene Ledesma, and a devoted member of the community.
  After over four decades of service, it is an honor to pay homage to 
Rev. Kathy Cooper Ledesma for her contributions to aiding the unhoused 
population and promoting faith inclusivity. It has been a great 
privilege to work with Kathy over the years and see her tremendous 
impact on the community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
this remarkable, well-respected reverend in California's 30th 
Congressional District, Rev. Kathy Cooper Ledesma.

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