Salud O. Carbajal

Commission on Natural Disaster Risk Management and Insurance Act

in committee

Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act

in committee

Safe Skies Act of 2026

in committee

“Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, each year, I have the honor of recognizing women on the Central Coast whose leadership, service, and dedication have made a lasting impact on our community through the Women of the Year Award. This year, it is my pleasure to recognize Sarah Aguilar of Oak View, for her outstanding contributions to animal welfare, public service, and community engagement. Sarah Aguilar became Director of Santa Barbara County Animal Services in September 2022 and has since transformed the agency through innovative leadership, transparency, and collaboration. With a background in business and prior leadership roles in animal welfare organizations across the country, she brought a collaborative approach to an agency that had long faced significant challenges. Under her stewardship, the care of more than 6,000 animals at county's three shelters annually has been reimagined through programs that prioritize humane outcomes, community partnership, and transparency, helping change the atmosphere for volunteers and staff in a positive way. Among her most notable achievements is the creation of the ``Dog Day Fostering'' program, an initiative that has enabled more than 2,000 community members to provide shelter dogs with enrichment, socialization, and exposure to potential adopters. This has reduced stress on animals, increased adoption rates, and strengthened community investment in the wellbeing of shelter pets. Ms. Aguilar has also demonstrated leadership through securing a $200,000 grant from the UC Davis Koretz School of Shelter Medicine to establish a ``Pawsitive Care Coordinator.'' This bridges the gap between human social services and animal care, ensuring that individuals facing hardships are not forced to surrender beloved pets due to lack of resources. Her dedication extends beyond policy and program development to direct, hands-on action. In one instance, Ms. Aguilar personally intervened to rehabilitate and transport a high-risk shelter dog to a safe, permanent home hours away. An act of courage and compassion that not only saved that animal's life but inspired ongoing rescue efforts for others in need. In a field often challenged by limited resources and complex public demands, Ms. Aguilar has remained steadfast, advocating for sustainable funding, developing fundraising strategies, and maintaining a solutions-oriented approach in the face of fiscal uncertainty. I am proud to recognize Sarah Aguilar as a Woman of the Year for her inspiring leadership, her deep commitment to both people and animals, and the lasting difference she continues to make in the Santa Barbara County community. ____________________”

2026-04-20 · Government Reform

“Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, on March 25, 2026, I missed the vote on H. Res. 1131. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 99. ____________________”

2026-03-26 · Government Reform

“Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, this year marks 125 years since the founding of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. From its inception, Cal Poly has been a pillar of the San Luis Obispo community embodying the spirit of its motto ``learn by doing''. In the past 125 years Cal Poly SLO has educated more than 230,000 individuals who have gone on to be everything from astronauts to iconic football players, and even world-famous musicians. The university's partnerships with local communities, industry and government exemplify the vital role public higher education plays in advancing opportunity, innovation and regional prosperity. The university has been a constant over these past 125 years in providing high quality education throughout various fields of study, earning its place for the past several decades as one of the top public universities, not only in California, but in the entire Nation. Cal Poly SLO consistently ranks higher year after year in the top 500 public and private not-for-profit universities in the United States, coming in 55th place just last year. In the state of California, Cal Poly SLO has continued to climb, ranking 12th overall for two consecutive years. The university has already established an unforgettable legacy for its longstanding commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and public service. Cal Poly has distinguished itself as a national leader in hands-on education, preparing generations of students to contribute meaningfully to all aspects of their communities. Cal Poly's emphasis on practical learning, research, and community engagement has produced graduates who serve as leaders across engineering, agriculture, business, education, public service and the sciences. I commend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for its enduring impact on the Central Coast and the State of California, and for its continued dedication to student success and service to the public good. May the next 125 years be as great as the last. ____________________”

2026-02-05 · Education