E2128 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 15, 2007 Lake Park. They have built partnerships with HONORING VIOLET HEINTZ Eastern Quakers who had moved to Pasa- the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department dena. Quakers have played leading roles in to implement new programs such as the White HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH working for peace and an end to war, pro- Rock ’n’ Roll Run and, have created ‘‘Litter- OF CALIFORNIA moting racial and gender equality, and sup- free Louie,’’ a mascot to help educate others IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES porting environmental and other social justice on the importance of keeping our lake clean. causes. After World War I, the Meeting mem- I am proud to be associated with this valuable Monday, October 15, 2007 bers supported the American Friends Service organization and am grateful for all that they Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise Committee, AFSC, which engaged in post-war do for White Rock Lake Park and the city of today to congratulate Violet Heintz upon being relief efforts in Western Europe and Russia, Dallas. named one of ‘‘The 2007 Women of Distinc- and also helped establish AFSC’s Pacific Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed col- tion’’ by The Fresno County and City Repub- Coast branch. leagues to join me in recognizing their passion lican Women Federated. During World War II, the Meeting house and hard work. Mrs. Heintz served on the Fresno County served as a hostel for Japanese-Americans f Board of Education for 32 years. She has being sent to internment camps, and aid was demonstrated her lifelong commitment to com- sent to those already interned. The Meeting HONORING READERS’ BOOKS, OF munity service through numerous education members provided hospitality and financial SONOMA projects and community activities benefiting support to area conscientious objectors and the children of Fresno County. Her dedication their families, and after the end of the war, HON. MIKE THOMPSON to education advancements led Mrs. Heintz to hosted families displaced by the war and its OF CALIFORNIA serve on the original governing board and li- aftermath. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES censee for the local television channel KVPT Meeting members have frequently led the Monday, October 15, 2007 Channel 18. KVPT is better known as Valley way in civil rights and social justice move- Public Television and is one of only 14 chan- ments. Meeting members took part in efforts Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam nels in California that is part of the Public to desegregate the Pasadena school system, Speaker, I rise today to honor Readers’ Broadcasting System. The mission of the sta- participated in freedom rides in the South and Books, which has been named the 2007 tion is to ‘‘deliver information through broad- attended the Selma, AL, protests. Sonoma Valley Business of the Year. This cast programming and related services to en- The Orange Grove Monthly Meeting of store has become an institution for Sonoma hance and promote life long learning.’’ This is Friends founded educational institutions that and the surrounding communities as a source also the mission of Mrs. Heintz. She has provide a nurturing educational environment not simply of literature, but intellectual fulfill- served on the Fresno County Trustees Asso- for children. Pacific Ackworth Friends School ment in many different forms. ciation’s Executive Board, the Central Valley (1942) and Pacific Oaks School (1945) were Sixteen years ago, Andy and Lilla Wein- Technology Center committee and the Fresno established by Meeting parents. In 1961, Mara berger dropped by my office to run an idea County Educator of the Year committee. Moser, an Orange Grove Friends member, es- past me: they wanted to move into the Bay Her involvement in and contributions to the tablished Mothers’ Club to support families of Area, and were hoping to open a bookstore community have been recognized through men in prison. Mothers’ Club later evolved into that would do more than sell books. They many awards, including; the Fresno County a child development and family center serving imagined a location for the community to gath- Association of California School Administra- low-income families. er to enjoy books and hear authors, but also tor’s Golden Apple Award, California and Na- Members of the Orange Grove Monthly to serve as a forum for local issues and cur- tional PTA Honorary Service Award, Women Meeting of Friends are active participants in rent events. Sonoma was suggested, and after of the Year finalist, Fresno County Status of the community. Meeting members routinely a visit they were off and running. Women, Phi Delta Kappa Community Edu- provide dinner for the homeless at Union Sta- Readers’ Books has been an incredible re- cation Award, the William E. Nili Scholarship tion in Pasadena, participate in many prison source to the community over the last 16 Service Award, and the Alison Berg Award. In visitation programs and allow the meeting years, and has played host to a wide variety recognition of her timeless service, on April house to be used by local groups for activities of groups and events. The Weinbergers have 23, 1999, The Elkhorn Correctional Facility such as a tutoring program for elementary supported programs for young and old, such Boot Camp in Fresno County was dedicated in school children. as sponsoring authors at the Vintage House her honor. The school is now called the Violet It is my pleasure to recognize the Orange Senior Center. They have worked to bring Heintz Education Academy. The Academy is Grove Friends Meeting of Pasadena on its many of these authors into schools to read for designed to educate students that have been 100th anniversary of active participation in the students, and have helped serve as judges for committed by the Juvenile Court to a long- life of our community. I ask all members to a students’ writing contest. Similarly, they pro- term program for non-violent offenders. This join me in extending a hearty congratulations. vide a meeting space for many community dedication is a tribute to all of the great things f groups, and offer the store as a forum for po- that Mrs. Heintz has done for the Fresno litical discussion, including an impartial expla- County Department of Education. HONORING NANCY GARDNER, OF nation of ballot measures around election Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend SONOMA time. and congratulate Violet Heintz upon being Readers’ Books exemplifies the importance awarded ‘‘The 2007 Women of Distinction’’. I HON. MIKE THOMPSON of independent stores for the sense of com- invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. OF CALIFORNIA munity in a town. Despite the rise of chain Heintz many years of continued success. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stores and Internet shopping, Readers’ Books f and small, independent stores like it continue Monday, October 15, 2007 to offer an irreplaceable location not just for COMMEMORATING 100TH ANNIVER- Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam shopping, but for communities to come to- SARY OF THE ORANGE GROVE Speaker, I rise today in honor of Nancy Gard- gether. MONTHLY MEETING OF RELI- ner, who is leaving the North Bay Regional Readers’ Books is indeed a wonderful book- GIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS IN Center after 15 years as that group’s execu- store. With a friendly staff happy to step for- PASADENA, CA tive director. She is moving on to serve as ward with assistance or recommendations, the CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind, but she Weinbergers have created a bibliophile’s HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF leaves behind an organization that she has heaven. If something isn’t available from their OF CALIFORNIA developed into an incredible resource for peo- selection, they can help a customer find it IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ple with developmental disabilities, families, quickly and efficiently. and our community. Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this Monday, October 15, 2007 Ms. Gardner was born in Kansas, and grad- time that we congratulate Andy and Lilla Wein- Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today uated from the University of Nebraska in 1974 berger on the occasion of Readers’ Books to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She being named the 2007 Business of the Year. Orange Grove Monthly Meeting of Religious received a master’s degree in special edu- They are truly pillars of their community, and Society of Friends in Pasadena, CA. cation and human development from the Uni- we have all greatly benefited from the wonder- The Orange Grove Monthly Meeting of versity of Kansas in 1976 before moving to ful store they started 16 years ago. Friends was founded in 1907 by a group of 20 California and working for with NBRC from VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:33 Oct 16, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A15OC8.005 E15OCPT1 bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with REMARKS 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.