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March 28, 2008

Doris Lau Named a "Woman of the Year" in the 29th Congressional District

Official Seal of the US House of Representatives

Friday, March 28, 2008 Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176

Doris Lau Named a “Woman of the Year” in the 29th Congressional District

Washington, D.C. – Today at a reception in Pasadena, Representative Adam Schiff honored Doris Lau for her commitment and service to Monterey Park by naming her a “Woman of the Year.” 

“Doris devotes her time and energy well beyond her own needs and our community is a better place as a result of her efforts,” said Schiff.  “In addition to her hard work and dedication to our community, her life story provides inspiration to us all.”

Ms. Lau’s remarkable journey began when her parents left China and settled in Chile. Born in Iquique, the capitol of the country’s northernmost region, Ms. Lau worked in the fields alongside her family as a small child. Through hard work, dedication, and sacrifice the family built a neighborhood bakery and grocery store business; however, they eventually fled to the United States due to political unrest. In Los Angeles they began once again to rebuild their lives. Ms. Lau’s supplemental income from working in garment district factories helped to purchase their first home in Monterey Park.

Ms. Lau progressed from sewing four buttons per penny to attending Los Angeles City College. She then went on to major in Business Administration and Law at Cal State Los Angeles and advanced from clerical to paralegal positions at various law firms.

Inspired by her personal history, Ms. Lau has become an integral member of the Monterey Park volunteer community since moving there in 1985. She supports inter-cultural exchange in her role as a Trustee of the city’s Bruggemeyer Library, the Secretary for the city’s Commission for Art & Culture, and as the chair of the local Artisan Fairs. Her other leadership positions include serving as a Board Member, Southern Regional Representative, and Membership Chair of the California Association of Library Trustees & Commissioners (CALTAC) and as the VP, Legislative Coordinator, and Membership Chair of the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) for her local, Chapter 103.

Ms. Lau’s fluency in both Chinese and Spanish embodies the cultural diversity of Southern California and of our nation’s proud history. Her outreach is similarly inclusive: she is a Board Member of the Committee for Special Emphasis Programs, which includes national heritage awareness months, and she volunteers for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).

In the past Ms. Lau has led several organizations in which she remains an active member, including serving as President and Lieutenant Governor of Los Angeles Monterey Park Optimist, President of the Monterey Park Homeowners and Renters Association, Treasurer and Secretary of the Eastside Democratic Club, and President and Treasurer of Santa in York Hill, an annual community holiday event for low-income families.

Every March, during Women’s History Month, Rep. Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 29th Congressional District.  These women come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region.  While there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women who – through their work or volunteerism – have improved the quality of life for our community.

Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.