Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 735) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 502 East Cotati Avenue in Cotati, California, as the…
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 735) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 502 East Cotati Avenue in Cotati, California, as the ``Arthur Luis Ibleto Post Office Building'', as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 735, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 502 East Cotati Avenue in Cotati, California, as the Arthur L. Ibleto Post Office Building.
Mr. Ibleto reigned in the Sonoma County food and wine community for nearly 50 years as its one and only ``Pasta King.'' His Italian catering and frozen food business is an institution and his award- winning grapes can be found in numerous Sonoma Valley wines.
Mr. Ibleto was known for his generosity and he lent considerable time and resources to charitable, educational, and civic causes. He continued working full-time until his passing on November 24, 2020, at age 94.
But his accomplishments are not limited to food, wine, and the building of his community. At just 17, Mr. Ibleto deserted Mussolini's fascist army to join the Italian resistance and fought behind enemy lines to help the Allies defeat Nazi Germany during World War II.
In 1949, he left Italy for Petaluma, California, where he met and married Victoria Eleanor Ghirardelli. The two settled in Cotati, California, in 1951.
A proud immigrant, Mr. Ibleto cofounded the North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation and served as State president of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America.
Mr. Ibleto lived the American Dream and helped countless people on his journey.
I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in honoring his legacy by naming the post office at 502 East Cotati Avenue as the Arthur L. Ibleto Post Office Building.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and urge passage of H.R. 735. I yield back the balance of my time.