[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING GEORGE ALTAMURA AND HANDS ACROSS THE VALLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2000

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an 
extraordinary humanitarian from my congressional district whose 
tireless efforts will ensure that hundreds of individuals and families 
in our Napa Valley will not go to bed hungry tonight.
  On Saturday, September 23rd, George Altamura will chair the 7th 
Annual Hands Across the Valley benefit to raise funds for local food 
programs. Mr. Altamura has made countless contributions toward 
improving our community including his work with Catholic Charities 
providing services to at-risk youths, victims of Alzheimer's and the 
homeless. None, however, are as significant and far-reaching as his 
efforts regarding this monumental event.
  As a founding father and pioneer, George Altamura has been a driving 
force behind this community benefit's success. He joined Eleanor and 
Francis Ford Coppola as well as Linda and Johnny Miller in opening up 
his wonderful restaurant Bistro Don Giovanni to host the first Hands 
Across the Valley event in 1994. Five hundred guests participated in 
that inaugural evening to reduce hunger in our county.
  Thanks in large part to George's leadership and determination, this 
event has grown every year. Because of him and his many friends, Hands 
Across the Valley has donated over $600,000 to feed Napa's hungry 
families. This year's event is expected to be bigger and more 
successful than ever, with nearly 2,000 guests and volunteers working 
together to ensure none of our neighbors are without food.
  Mr. Speaker, George Altamura has put his heart and soul into this 
event because he understands its importance. He knows that not everyone 
has shared in our nation's recent prosperity. He also understands that 
despite the media perception of Napa as a community for the wealthy, 
more than 7 percent of the county's population is below the poverty 
level and more than 21 percent are near the poverty level. A recent 
survey by the University of California and the Redwood Empire Food Bank 
found that 43 percent of individuals seeking food assistance each month 
at Napa food pantries and soup kitchens are children. The average 
household seeking assistance has four people. More than 30 percent do 
not have a stove or oven and 28 percent do not have a refrigerator.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe it is fitting and appropriate to honor the 
service George Altamura has given to our community for so many years. I 
commend all of those involved in this annual benefit and wish them 
great success on Saturday. We are all better off because of their 
efforts.

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