[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E470-E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO CAMILLE LOMBARDO--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2017

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History 
Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and 
sacrifices made by our nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to 
outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional 
District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Camille 
Lombardo of Pasadena, California.
   Camille has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology degree from Pitzer 
College and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine 
University.
   For twenty-five years, Camille has admirably served as Executive 
Director of the Friends of the Observatory (FOTO), the non-profit 
organization that supports the world-renowned Griffith Observatory in 
Los Angeles. During this time, Ms. Lombardo has not only raised tens of 
millions of dollars for the Observatory, but has also been a leader in 
assisting with the development, planning and execution of key 
Observatory initiatives. During her tenure, she spearheaded the funding 
effort of the public-private partnership with the City of Los Angeles 
for the observatory's ninety-three million dollar expansion and 
renovation project, raising over twenty-five million dollars of that in 
private funding and working with local, state and federal agencies to 
secure public funding.
   Ms. Lombardo has continued to raise millions of dollars for upgrades 
in the ten years to the observatory. These include the planetarium show 
production capability, theater projection and sound systems, and the 
ability to record and broadcast live astronomical observations and 
special events, thus greatly expanding its audience both world-wide and 
at the observatory itself. In addition, Camille raises funds for the 
observatory's school program for fifth-graders which serves 25,000 
mostly public school students annually, and Bus Scholarship program for 
disadvantaged schools, resulting in free school programs.
   A consummate professional, Ms. Lombardo capably guides FOTO with its 
thousands of members and many activities, and works effortlessly with 
the City of Los Angeles and the observatory staff on policy issues, 
building improvements, and major events organization and 
implementation.

[[Page E471]]

   I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of 
California's 28th Congressional District, Camille Lombardo.

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