[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 40 (Monday, March 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING LISA HILAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 3, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lisa 
Hilas. I have named Ms. Hilas as the California 4th District's Woman of 
the Year for Solano County because of her excellent work in our 
community. This honor recognizes women who have made important 
contributions to California's 4th Congressional District in Arts and 
Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or 
Community Service.
  Born in San Jose, California, Ms. Hilas grew up in the rural town of 
Arnold in Calaveras County, where she developed a deep appreciation for 
the arts as a unifying force within communities. She earned a Bachelor 
of Science in Political Science from Santa Clara University before 
embarking on a successful career as a corporate travel executive for 
United Airlines and later as Vice President of Global Travel for JP 
Morgan Chase, in 2000, she was diagnosed with a rare retinal condition 
that rendered her legally blind, a challenge she met with remarkable 
determination. She found a new calling in nonprofit leadership and, in 
December 2024, earned a Master's degree in Arts Management and 
Entrepreneurship from the University of Oklahoma. Ms. Hilas currently 
resides in Vacaville, California, with her husband, Steve, and their 
beloved miniature Australian Shepherd, Gracie.
  Since 2018, Ms. Hilas has served as President of On Stage Vacaville, 
a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering artistic expression and 
enriching our community through the performing arts. Under her 
leadership, the organization expanded its mission to support local arts 
organizations devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of her most 
impactful initiatives is ``Synergy Adaptive Arts,'' an academy 
providing dance, theatre, and visual arts education for neurodivergent 
children and adults, ensuring that all members of the community have 
access to creative expression. Ms. Hilas's commitment to arts 
accessibility extends beyond our Vacaville community. As the CEO and 
Founder of Big Lights, Little City, she has championed rural arts 
programs, supporting venue management and nonprofit consulting to 
uplift artistic endeavors in underserved areas. Furthermore, Ms. Hilas 
is a dedicated advocate for animal welfare. She is the Executive 
Director and Founder of Saving Gracie, a nonprofit dedicated to ending 
euthanasia due to economic hardship by providing financial assistance 
for emergency veterinary care. Since its founding in 2016, Saving 
Gracie has provided over $400,000 in funding to our Solano County 
residents, ensuring that financial hardship does not separate families 
from their beloved pets.
  Ms. Hilas's advocacy work also extends to human rights. As a 
Soroptimist and a community organizer, she has collaborated with local 
nonprofits, law enforcement, and advocacy groups to educate the public 
about the dangers of human trafficking. She has organized two large-
scale community awareness events at the Vacaville Performing Arts 
Theatre, drawing participation from schools, churches, and our local 
government to combat this pressing issue. In recognition of her 
tireless efforts, Ms. Hilas was honored in 2024 by the Solano County 
Commission on Women and Girls as one of six recipients of the Woman of 
the Year award. She has also been recognized by Senator Bill Dodd's 
office with a formal resolution praising her outstanding service to the 
community. Additionally, she was a featured guest on the Association of 
Performing Arts Professionals' podcast ``Work, Art, Life,'' where she 
shared her inspiring journey from corporate leadership to nonprofit 
advocacy.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Lisa Hilas's passion, leadership, and determination 
have profoundly impacted our Solano County community. Her unwavering 
commitment to the arts, animal welfare, and social advocacy is an 
inspiration to us all. It is with great honor and deep appreciation 
that I recognize her invaluable contributions here today.

                          ____________________