[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E196-E197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING SUE HOLMAN AND SUSAN WEEKS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. MIKE THOMPSON -----------

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
two extraordinary women who have jointly been named the city

[[Page E197]]

of Sonoma's 2004 Alcaldesas, or honorary mayors.
  For more than 10 years, Sue Holman and Susan Weeks have volunteered 
countless hours to Sonoma Valley's Meals on Wheels program. They work 5 
days a week preparing 2 gourmet meals for housebound residents. A 
typical weekly fare is pork chops in mushroom sauce, spicy lamb logs, 
linguini and clams, tamale pie and roast beef. Over the past 10 years, 
they calculate that they have prepared a quarter of a million meals.
  In addition to all of the food preparation, they prepare the menus, 
shop for groceries, do all of the baking, maintain inventory control 
and supervise the 90 volunteers who package and deliver the food and 
assist in the kitchen.
  They recognize that many of the people they serve live alone and try 
to make each day special. Each holiday has a theme meal, and each 
client receives a personalized present or two at Christmas of Hanukkah 
and on their birthday, plus a split of wine or champagne.
  They are able to maintain a high quality of fare and bolster the 
spirits of the people they serve while running the only all-volunteer 
Meals on Wheels program in the State of California.
  In recognition of their contributions, the city of Sonoma designated 
them ``los dos Alcaldesas,'' following a 28-year-old tradition of 
selecting someone in the community who works selflessly on behalf of 
others. The Alcalde/Alcaldesa reflects the town's Spanish and Mexican 
heritage and the ``honorary mayors'' will preside at all ceremonial 
functions on behalf of the city.
  Susan Weeks settled in Sonoma 18 years ago following an international 
career that took her to Jerusalem, South Africa and Washington, D.C. In 
addition to Meals on Wheels, she has also been active in public safety 
and infrastructure issues, and working with the Verano Springs 
Association and the Sonoma Valley Citizens Action Committee.
  Sue Holman is a retired investment banker who has been in Sonoma 11 
years. An animal lover, she was one of the driving forces in the 
establishment of Sonoma's only dog park.
  Mr. Speaker, Susan Weeks and Sue Holman provide an invaluable service 
to their community, and it is appropriate that we honor them today as 
Sonoma, California's 2004 Dos Alcaldesas.

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