Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Judith Zitter, who is being honored by the Zonta Club of Pasadena as their 2003 Woman of Achievement. Each year, the Zonta Club of Pasadena pays special tribute to the accomplishments made by an extraordinary woman who has made a difference in our community.
A Pasadena native, Ms. Zitter received her Masters in Social Work from California State University, San Francisco in 1982. Judith is married to her Blair High School sweetheart, Neal Wrightson, who is the founder of the Children's Community School in Van Nuys. She and Neal have two children, Erica, a freshman at University of California, Santa Barbara and Max, a sophomore at the Los Angeles High School for the Arts.
Ms. Zitter's strong commitment to her community is clearly reflected in her career path. She has worked as an adoption social worker, director of a senior center, and a field representative for Pasadena Mayor Rick Cole. During her tenure with Mayor Cole, she was instrumental in implementing positive changes in the Old Pasadena and Northwest Pasadena neighborhoods. Currently, Judith is a community health manager for Kaiser Permanente. In this capacity, she has helped create relationships to support community organizations, such as the formation of a statewide partnership with free and community clinics in California, and the American Diabetes Association.
The consummate volunteer, Judith currently serves on the boards of El Centro de Accion Social, Day One, the Asian Pacific Community Fund and the Pasadena Center Operating Company. Her past volunteer efforts include Haven House, the Los Angeles Women's Foundation, Community Health Councils, Artists Beyond Disabilities, United Way, and numerous political organizations.
Judith has received many awards, including the Pasadena YWCA Second Century Award in 1998, the Outstanding Community Service Award from the American Diabetes Association in 2002, and the Kaiser Permanente Public Affairs Award in 2000 and 2003.
The time, energy and love Judith gives to our community is extraordinary, and the residents of my district have benefited greatly from her dedicated service. For her lifetime of service, I am proud to ask all Members to join with me in commending Judith Zitter upon receiving the 2003 Zonta Club of Pasadena's Woman of Achievement Award.