[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15935]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OF JOSEPHINE SANTA ANNA, RECIPIENT OF 
             THE OLDER AMERICANS RECOGNITION AWARD FOR 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2007

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend 
Josephine Santa Anna, an outstanding Californian, who has recently been 
honored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los 
Angeles County Commission on Aging with the Older Americans Recognition 
Award for 2007. This commendation is given for outstanding community 
service and recognizes Mrs. Santa Anna's service to the City of Santa 
Fe Springs, California, which has spanned over five decades.
  Mrs. Santa Anna is probably one of the most active older adults 
residing in the city of Santa Fe Springs. Her daily life is primarily 
driven by the priorities of each of her volunteer commitments, which 
have included (in part) serving as a Traffic Commissioner, Senior 
Citizens Advisory Committee Member and an active participant in the 
city's 50th Anniversary Community Planning Committee. Mrs. Santa Anna 
was one of a handful of people who volunteered every day for over 3 
weeks to decorate the float that showcased the city's 50th anniversary 
in the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. It was 
only after becoming physically ill from the fumes of the glue that she 
finally agreed to stay home, returning a few days later to help 
organize the city's New Year's Eve party.
  Mrs. Santa Anna has been recognized as the most reliable volunteer by 
two of the most active Senior Citizens' Clubs in the region, the 
Abraham Lincoln Club and John F. Kennedy Club. In 2006 she was elected 
by over four hundred seniors to serve in two of the most coveted 
positions on the Board of Directors for each Club. She has been 
recognized as the ``voice of the seniors'' by personally leading and 
shepherding voter registration drives and absentee ballot campaigns for 
the elderly.
  Mrs. Santa Anna, as a Cuban-American, has a strong passion for social 
justice issues, which empowers her to advocate on behalf of the elderly 
and the disenfranchised within her community. She was recently 
appointed to represent the City's Senior Citizens Advisory Committee as 
a member of the Seniors Grievance Committee, which addresses difficult 
and contentious issues for five senior citizens clubs in Santa Fe 
Springs. According to Santa Fe Springs City Councilmember, Luis M. 
Gonzalez, ``Her amazing mental agility and high physical energy 
combined with her passionate spirit provide for a truly engaged 
community gatekeeper who keeps our elected officials on the edge of 
their seats.''
  Most importantly, Mrs. Santa Anna (lovingly known as ``Fina'') 
embodies the characteristics of a highly respected community leader. 
She is humble, lovable, and spirited. She is a passionate engine that 
mobilizes seniors, families, and elected officials for the betterment 
of Santa Fe Springs.
  Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me, her family, friends, and 
community in honoring Josephine Santa Anna for her service in and 
contributions to the City of Santa Fe Springs.

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