[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17128-17129]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING AVONDALE, ARIZONA MAYOR MARIE LOPEZ ROGERS ON HER ELECTION AS 
               PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2012

  Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Avondale, Arizona Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers on her election as President 
of the National League of Cities (NLC). Mayor Lopez Rogers is the first 
Latina in NLC history to lead the advocacy group, which is dedicated to 
helping city leaders build better communities.
   Since she was first elected to the Avondale city council in 1996, 
Mayor Lopez Rogers has demonstrated a deep commitment to public 
service. From her time on the council to when she was elected as 
Avondale's first Latina mayor in 2006, Mayor Lopez Rogers has been 
instrumental in transforming Avondale from a once tiny community to one 
of the nation's fastest growing municipalities.
   Having served in local, state, and national organizations such as on 
the board of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed 
Officials (NALEO), as a member of the League of Arizona Cities & Towns' 
Executive Committee, and as President of the Arizona Women in Municipal 
Governments, Mayor Lopez Rogers' skills and talents have reached well 
beyond Avondale.
   In 2011, Mayor Lopez Rogers was recognized by President Barack Obama 
for her dedication to and accomplishments in local government at a 
national conference of Hispanic leaders. Additionally, she has received 
the Hispanic Leadership Institute-West Public Service Award, the Valle 
Del Sole Profiles of Success 2009 Special Recognition Award, and the 
2010 Jacque Steiner Public Leadership Award for Children from 
Children's Action Alliance.
   Mayor Lopez Rogers knows the meaning of hard work and does not shy 
away from a challenge. She worked alongside her parents in a farm labor 
camp as a girl and then became the first member of her family to go to 
college. Today, as the head of NLC, I am confident she will use her 
resolve to fight for initiatives important to cities in Arizona and 
across the United States.
   I have known Mayor Lopez Rogers and her family for over thirty years 
and I extend my sincerest appreciation for the support and friendship 
they have shown to me.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the many 
achievements of Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers and in wishing her the best 
during her tenure as President of the National League of Cities.

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