[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E53-E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. MIKE SALVADORI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2004

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great friend not 
only to the 18th Congressional District but to my family and I, Mr. 
Mike Salvadori. The Merced County Chamber of Commerce is honoring him 
as the 2003 Ambassador of Goodwill, and I know this is a well-deserved 
honor.
  Mike was born on December 2, 1936 in Merced County. He had the good 
fortune to be raised on his parent's dairy. Dairy work is not easy, and 
Mike quickly learned he had to work hard to be a success. Along with 
his brother and two sisters, the Salvadori family was taught to value 
and respect their neighbors and surrounding community. These two 
important life lessons are what have shape Mike into a caring citizen.
  After attending Modesto Junior College, Mike made the decision to 
serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Army, and he served 
our Nation for 2 years. Soon after, he met his wife Jeanne and the two 
were married in 1960.
  The Salvadori's made a home in Merced County and worked on his 
father's dairy where they enjoyed the experience of milking cows and 
riding horses together. Continuing his interest with the dairy 
business, Mike took a job with Berkeley Farms and the couple moved to 
San Jose.
  After a brief stint at Berkeley Farms, the two moved back to Los 
Banos, California where Mike then took a job with Wonder Bread. In 
1963, Mike and Jeanne bought Bi-Rite Liquor Store in Merced, 
California. Mike and Jeanne were dedicated to turning their new 
investment into a success. They stayed focused and were soon able to 
open a new store.
  While Mike was now successfully running his own business, he became 
interested in real estate. Through his good friend, Lou Gonella, he was 
able to begin selling real estate in Merced County. Always the 
entrepreneur, Mike opened his own real estate office in Merced--Century 
21 Salvadori Realty in 1975.
  Not only is Mike a very successful business man, but he is an 
incredible leader in our community. Always willing to lend a helping 
hand to any organization or charity, he has earned himself the respect 
of all of his neighbors and friends. As part of the Merced County 
Chamber of Commerce, the Italo American Lodge, and Kiwanis, he and his 
family have proven their dedication to all in our community.
  Mike's second passion in life is cooking. Merced residents know that 
if there is a large community event, they will find Mike cooking his 
famous pasta. Local organizations can always count on Mike to help cook 
for their events. He truly has a warm place in the hearts of locals who 
couldn't go without his services, or his wonderful meals.
  Along with his wife and two sons, Michael and Paul, I am honored to 
recognize the dedication of Mike to our community. He is truly an

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example for others to follow and I am proud to call him my friend.

                          ____________________