May 23, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 87 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION FOR VIRGINIA DeANGELIS, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2019

  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Virginia 
DeAngelis for her life of work and service to our community. Jinny is 
stepping down as the Chief Executive Officer of Desert Area Regional 
Training (DART), an organization that advocates for, and employs, 
people with disabilities in Ridgecrest, California, which I represent.
  Jinny was born and raised in Wisconsin, graduating cum laude from the 
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, and later obtained her Master's 
degree and Doctorate in Business Administration, with an emphasis in 
Organizational Leadership. After all those years in the cold Midwest, 
Jinny wanted warmer weather, eventually bringing her to the community 
of Ridgecrest. She taught at the Sierra Sands Unified School District, 
educating future generations and inspiring them to become the next 
leaders of our community. In 1993, she started as a Case Manager for 
DART, and through her hard work as an industrious champion for people 
with disabilities, she was deservedly appointed CEO in 2003.
  As an executive, Jinny continued to dedicate her energy to serving 
our local community, managing and guiding the development of DART's 
mission and facilities, all while simultaneously advocating for people 
with disabilities. DART has managed and operated a thrift store, 
providing an opportunity for employment for many people with 
disabilities in Ridgecrest. Because of the generosity in our community, 
DART recently had to open a new, bigger location that allowed for more 
space in the shop and greater work experience.
  Jinny's presence in our community has been prolific; she serves on 
multiple boards and volunteers her time for many local organizations, 
including the Rotary Club of China Lake, Girl Scouts USA, and 
Ridgecrest Mayor Peggy Breeden's Special Committee on the Handicapped 
for the City of Ridgecrest. Jinny is a true believer in the power of 
education and has lent her expertise to others in Kern County through 
her work with the Autism Task Force in Kern County and the Kern 
Community College District Adult Education Consortium. For her service 
and dedication to people with disabilities, she has received many 
awards, including Rotarian of the Year in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
  On behalf of the constituents of the 23rd Congressional District of 
California, I applaud Jinny for her over 40 years of dedication, hard 
work, and service to educating and advocating on behalf of people with 
disabilities. I wish her well as she embarks on the next chapter in her 
life.

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