OVER a year ago, Filipina American Duarte City Council member Tzeitel Paras-Caracci was elected to a two-year term on the National League of Cities (NLC) Board of Directors. The NLC is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. It serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents. The election was held at the culmination of the association’s annual conference in New Orleans on Nov. 17,2007.
"We are very proud of Tzeitel and Margaret and of the national recognition they bring to Duarte through their service. It’s extremely rare to have a council member from a small city elected to the National League of Cities Board. It’s quite an accomplishment," said Duarte City Manager Darrell George.
During her presentation to NLC, Paras-Caracci stressed building strong relationships between cities and families. "My goal is to focus on youth education and family issues during my NLC board tenure. It should be a priority for all elected officials to really inspire civic engagement among all their constituents. I believe it’s my generation’s responsibility to make sure that the next generations invest in their communities," said Paras-Caracci following her election.
"Having Tzeitel on the NLC board provides an opportunity to connect with younger voters and share the story of cities with the emerging generation," said San Diego Council Member Jim Madaffer, president of the League of California Cities.
Tzeitel Russel M. Paras was born in 1972. She was named after the eldest daughter in "Fiddler on the Roof", a Broadway musical. She was raised in Duarte where her family moved in 1985. Tzeitel has two younger brothers: Bertrand Russell and John Paul George. She attended Woodbury University majoring in Marketing and has worked for CIGNA HealthCare, Pasadena Unified School District and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
In 1989, Tzeitel was named the Los Angeles Times and Pasadena Star News DHS ‘Student of the Year’. She served as Mayor Pro Tem during Duarte Student Government Day and was also a DHS representative to Girl State.
On November 6, 2001, Tzeitel became the first Duarte High School (DHS) alumni and the youngest woman elected to the Duarte City Council. In 2006, she served as mayor of the City.
Tzeitel has participated in many facets of government and civic engagement, having been an active member of various organizations and committees. She has served as President for APAMO (Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials) 2004-2006, Chair for the Redevelopment Agency in 2004, Chair of the CityFutures Panel of Democratic Governance, member of Duarte Education Council and Duarte Community Service Council, Director of Sanitation District in 2006, and Director of California League of Cities as well as the National League of Cities.
Tzeitel is thankful for many things, but most of all, for the difference she can make every day serving the City of Duarte, her beloved hometown for over 24 years.
In August 2003, Tzeitel married K.C. Caracci at Royal Oaks Park in Duarte. In addition to English, Tzeitel also speaks Tagalog ("konti") and Spanish ("un poquito"). Aside from loving Duarte, Tzeitel also loves Hello Kitty, watching HGTV and the Food Network, and whenever she has a spare moment enjoys baking and crafts.
( Published on July 29, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )
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