[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF ART IBLETO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my 
good friend, Art Ibleto, who is being honored this month by the Order 
Sons of Italy in America-Grand Lodge of California for his lifetime of 
achievements.
  Mr. Ibleto served as President of the Grand Lodge of California from 
1995-1997 and will receive the accolades of friends and family at the 
Lodge's 74th Anniversary on September 18, 1999.
  Mr. Ibleto's accomplishments are many. As a young man during WW II in 
Italy, he joined the underground to fight against Nazi Germany and the 
Fascists. His specialty was demolition--planting explosives under 
bridges and railroads and in highway tunnels to hinder the German 
advance.
  Following the war, Mr. Ibleto immigrated to the United States and 
eventually settled in Sonoma County where he worked in the fields 
picking vegetables and as a mechanic, truck driver and factory worker.
  He married his wife, Vicki Ghiradelli Ibleto, in 1951 and they bought 
their first home and acreage in 1961. Art and Vicki raised hogs and 
cows and harvested potatoes before moving on to the more lucrative 
ventures of growing Christmas trees and building and renting duplexes.
  Art and Vicki became members of the Sons of Italy, Pentaluma Lodge 
1518 in 1958. He served in various offices of his local lodge, 
including two terms as President. He also served as Grand Deputy to the 
Santa Rosa Lodge for many years, National State Delegate for 24 years, 
State Vice President for four years, and eventually attained the office 
of State President in 1995. In his leadership roles at the local, 
state, and national levels, Art has diligently promoted Italian 
culture, language and cuisine.
  In 1974 Art started the Spaghetti Palace at the Sonoma County Fair as 
a United Lodges, Sons of Italy project. In a very short time, the 
Spaghetti Palace became the number one vendor at the county fair, a 
distinction it has sustained through the 1999 season.
  As a result of the success of the Spaghetti Palace, Art took on a new 
career of supplying local stores with his own line of Italian cuisine 
and catering special events. He is known throughout California for his 
savory dishes and has earned the title of the ``Pasta King.''
  Art is now the new owner of a vineyard and soon will be shipping wine 
under the Ibleto Winery label.
  Mr. Speaker, because of Art Ibleto's commitment to his native country 
and to the Italian American people in the United States, it is fitting 
and proper to honor him today for his many accomplishments and 
contributions.

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