October 15, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2129 1980–1982. During this time she also taught to join the faculty at UC Santa Barbara as a one of the 1993 Top 10 Business/Professional courses on developmental issues and adult scholar and teacher, first in the Spanish and Women of the Year, Member and Chairwoman education at local community colleges. From Portuguese Department and then in the newly of the Little Hoover Commission City Clerk’s 1983 to 1992, she helped coordinate several established Center for Chicano Studies. Office Task Force, and member of the City of different efforts to provide services at the Leal has enjoyed a distinguished career as Fresno Blue Ribbon Task Force on City Coun- county and State level to adults and children one of the most highly regarded scholars of cil Ethics and Operations. Further, she is a in need of a helping hand. She also served Mexican and Latin American literature, and past president of the Fresno State Alumni As- the State Assembly as an analyst on legisla- was one of the first to draw attention to this sociation, and a member of the Channel 18 tion relating to social and developmental serv- relatively new field of study. He is the author Business Advisory Committee and the Junior ices, mental health and rehabilitation. of over 30 books and 300 articles. In 1988, he League of Fresno. Lastly, she has served in In 1992, Ms. Gardner joined NBRC as exec- received the Distinguished Scholar Award the Fresno Public Education Fund’s ‘‘Principal utive director, taking responsibility for leader- from the National Association for Chicana and for a Day’’ program. ship and management of this $105 million or- Chicano Studies in recognition of his lifetime Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend ganization. NBRC serves a population of over achievement. In 1995, UCSB created the Luis and congratulate the Honorable Debra 6,000 people with developmental disabilities Leal Endowed Chair in Chicano Studies in Kazanjian upon being awarded with ‘‘The around the North Bay region of Sonoma, recognition of his accomplishments. 2007 Women of Distinction’’. I invite my col- Napa, and Solano counties. Based on a belief Leal has also received renowned cultural leagues to join me in wishing the Honorable that people with developmental disabilities honors from the Mexican and American gov- Debra Kazanjian many years of continued should have access to the same opportunities ernments. In 1992, Mexican President Salinas success. available to other citizens, NBRC offers a wide awarded Leal the Mexican Order of the Aztec f variety of services tailored to the individual. Eagle, the highest award granted to foreign These services include diagnostic functions, citizens. It was President Bill Clinton who pre- HONORING THE WORK OF WILLIE individual planning, family support, advocacy sented Leal with the National Humanities GALVAN and transition services, as well as an excellent Medal in 1997. array of community education and program As a man who has devoted his life to edu- HON. LOIS CAPPS development opportunities. The work Ms. cation and to advancing the study of Mexican, OF CALIFORNIA Gardner has led at NBRC has been of im- Latin American, and Chicano literature, I today IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mense value to thousands of individuals and recognize Luis Leal as a distinguished scholar Monday, October 15, 2007 families throughout the North Bay to help them and professor, and as a man dedicated to Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, today I rise rise above disability. making our community and this Nation a rich- to pay tribute to Willie Galvan for his role as Ms. Gardner has served on too many er, more vibrant place. a dedicated advocate of Hispanic and Vet- boards and commissions to enumerate them f erans’ family rights. As National Hispanic Her- all. Her work with non-profits and commissions itage month comes to a close, I am honored throughout California has made her a truly val- HONORING JUDGE DEBRA KAZANJIAN to recognize a truly invaluable member and ued member of our community and an ac- voice of our Hispanic community. knowledged leader in her field. In addition to For the last 25 years, Willie has been an ac- her work on disabilities, she remains dedi- HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH tive member of the American GI Forum of cated to her husband, five children, five grand- OF CALIFORNIA California, an organization that works with re- children, and two dogs. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES turning Hispanic veterans and citizens to find Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this Monday, October 15, 2007 avenues that can improve community condi- time that we thank Nancy Gardner for 15 tions. In addition to his long-term commitment years of hard work guiding the North Bay Re- Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Honorable Debra as a member, Willie also currently serves as gional Center. Her determined leadership has the organization’s state commander. bettered the lives of thousands of individuals Kazanjian upon being named one of ‘‘The 2007 Women of Distinction’’ by the Fresno Originally from Victoria, TX, Willie Galvan’s throughout the region. Her work is not done, community organizing amongst Hispanic vet- however, and she is moving on to fuse her County and City Republican Women Fed- erated. erans and families began in his hometown love of dogs with her deep passion for aiding after his honorable discharge from the U.S. people with disabilities. Judge Kazanjian is a graduate of California State University, Fresno where she received a Army. His work to address inequity continued f bachelor of arts degree, summa cum laude. when Willie and his family moved to California HONORING DR. LUIS LEAL ON HIS She earned her juris doctor degree from in the early 1970s. In the central coast com- 100TH BIRTHDAY McGeorge School of Law at the University of munities, Willie has maintained his support for the Pacific. After completing her education, veterans while also dedicating himself to the HON. LOIS CAPPS she returned to Fresno, CA, where she was needs of low-income families. Willie has born and raised. She practiced as an attorney worked tirelessly on a range of initiatives, from OF CALIFORNIA organizing youth development programs to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for 19 years before being elected superior court judge in 2000. Currently, she is assigned starting a non-profit health care clinic, later to Monday, October 15, 2007 to the probate court. become Marian Community Clinic. As a man who has spent his life committed Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, today I rise Aside from being a Superior Court Judge, to alleviating the struggles within the Hispanic to honor Professor Luis Leal on the occasion Judge Kazanjian has served the legal commu- community, Willie deserves this and many of his 100th birthday. Professor Leal is a dis- nity of Fresno County in many different capac- more honors. Today I stand before you ex- tinguished member of the Santa Barbara com- ities, including: president of the Board of pressing thanks and respect for Willie Galvan, munity. He is a man who has devoted his life Trustees of the Fresno County Law Library, a man whose compassion and service to to scholarship and education, a man dedicated two terms as a member of the Board of Direc- those community members most in need is an to expressing and revealing the richness of tors of the Fresno County Bar Association, example to all. Mexican, Latin American, and Chicano lit- President of the Fresno County Young Law- erature and culture. yers Association, Chair of the Family Law f Luis Leal was born in 1907 and grew up in Section of the Bar Association, member of the IN HONOR OF BIG BETHEL AFRI- Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution. Domestic Violence Roundtable, and Scoring CAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL He came to the United States seeking a col- Judge at the Fresno County Mock Trial Com- (AME) CHURCH lege education and earned a bachelor’s de- petition. She has also spoken at numerous gree at . After a hiatus legal and community forums. Judge HON. JOHN LEWIS Kazanjian’s community service record is as to serve in World War II, Leal earned his doc- OF GEORGIA long as the list of legal services. Her commu- torate from the . IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES After a career teaching at the University of nity service includes: 5 years on the Fresno Mississippi, , and the Univer- County Planning Commission where she also Monday, October 15, 2007 sity of Illinois, Leal ‘‘retired’’ to the Santa Bar- served as Chairwoman in 1995, member of Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it bara area at the age of 69, only to be invited the City of Fresno Charter Review Committee, is an honor that I am able to help celebrate

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