A Tribute to Dr. Sandra E. Thomas CONGRESSMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, March 15, 2006 Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, of Altadena, California. Each year in March, in recognition of Women's History Month, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women. Dr. Sandra E. Thomas is a powerful and fearless leader whose personal service motto is ``Brighter Hope, With a New Vision.'' Highly visible in the community as a civil rights advocate, she has a way of saying what must be said without offending those around her--she always has a smile and a kind word for all who pass her way. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Dr. Thomas received her Bachelor of Arts and a Masters Degree from the University of Kansas and her Ph.D from Columbia University. After retiring as an engineer at Pacific Bell-SBC, she began a pilot program geared to attracting at-risk high school students to the field of engineering. For 28 years, Sandra served as a youth counselor at the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, where her husband, Reverend A.D. Thomas, is Pastor Emeritus. She is currently an instructor and consultant for young adults. A foster mom for over 2 decades, Sandra was named ``Outstanding Mother of the Year'' at Altadena Elementary School in 1977 and Pasadena High School's ``Mother of the Year'' in 1979. Dr. Thomas, a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has been affiliated with the organization for 55 years, and serves simultaneously at all levels of the NAACP organization. She is currently an NAACP National Trainer, a Regional Officer, a California State Director and the President of the Altadena Branch of the NAACP, where she has been successful in implementing many positive changes in the Altadena-Pasadena community. In addition to her NAACP activities, Sandra is an Altadena Town Council member, the founder and CEO of the ``Quality of Life Community Center,'' Chairperson of the Pasadena/Altadena African-American Leaders Community Coalition, a member of the Pasadena Junior League, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Leadership Pasadena, the Pasadena Unified School District Non-Violence Team, and the Altadena Community Center Board of Directors. Dr. Thomas and her husband, long-time Altadena residents, have 3 children, Michael, Vincent, Rosalyn and 6 grandchildren. I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring an extraordinary woman of California's 29th Congressional District, Dr. Sandra E. Thomas.