Eaton Fire Survivor & Lifelong Educator to Join Rep. Judy Chu for Trump’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) will be joined by Eaton Fire Survivor and lifelong educator, Dianne Lewis, as her guest to President Donald Trump’s first Address to a Joint Session of Congress.

A retired teacher and long-time Altadena resident, Lewis lost her home in the Eaton Fire. She is also the CEO of Pasadena's Alkebu-Lan Cultural Center, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through cultural education. Today, she joins Rep. Chu as her guest of honor for the Joint Address. 

“As we come together to support one another and continue rebuilding from the devastating Eaton Fire, it’s essential to recognize people like Dianne—a pillar of strength in so many lives who, despite losing everything, continues to support and empower her neighbors and seniors, said Rep. Chu. “Dianne is just one the 20,000 people displaced in my district, highlighting the unprecedented impact of this fire. She, her neighbors, and all Americans who fall on desperate times after a natural disaster need Congress to have their backs – to fully fund, fully staff agencies like FEMA and provide additional disaster aid funding, as needed, with no strings attached and no policy conditions imposed on states.”

“I am honored to join Rep. Chu as her guest to the Joint Session,” said Lewis. “I look forward to the President’s speech during which I hope he addresses the ongoing suffering of our communities, and he announces actions to help seniors and other vulnerable people who lost their homes but were uninsured or under-insured rebuild.”

Lewis was also recognized as Activist of the Year at Rep. Chu’s 2023 Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards Ceremony for her work as a community liaison, amplifying voices and advocating for critical issues.