[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2865]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NIKKI YAMASHIRO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Nikki Yamashiro, a 
dedicated, thoughtful, and intelligent young woman who I have been 
fortunate to have working on my staff for over two years.
  Nikki first began working in my Washington office as an intern in the 
winter of 2001. We were pleased to have a resident of Monterey Park, a 
community I represent, and a graduate of the University of California 
at San Diego, in our office. Nikki quickly showed us the qualities that 
would make her a valuable contribution to our team--her intelligence, 
willingness to work hard, and commitment to the residents of 
California's 32nd Congressional District.
  Nikki gradually worked her way up from an intern to her current 
position of Legislative Assistant. Along the way, she spearheaded my 
office's participation in the Congressional Arts--Competition and 
improved the efficiency of our constituent mail system. Last year, she 
played a key role in strengthening two bills I introduced--the Domestic 
Violence Courts Assistance Act and the Domestic Violence Prevention, 
Education, and Awareness Act. Nikki is a true champion for women's 
rights and has helped me build nationwide support for these bipartisan 
bills.
  I am very proud of her work, but I am most proud of the work Nikki 
did to shepherd into law a bill important to our community--the 
Francisco A. Martinez Flores Post Office Act (Public Law 108-116). 
Lance Corporal Martinez Flores was a courageous Marine from Duarte, CA, 
who lost his life while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nikki and I 
worked together to get all 53 Members of the California delegation on 
board as cosponsors of a bill to rename a local post office after 
Francisco. Nikki would not rest until we achieved our goal--and I am 
proud to say the post office will be officially renamed on February 28, 
2004.
  Although I am proud that Nikki is choosing to pursue graduate 
education, I know that our office will not be the same without her. 
Nikki is very much loved and respected by everyone she works with. I 
wish Nikki the best of luck in all her future endeavors. I have no 
doubt she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.

                          ____________________