[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNITION OF PETE MATTIVIV'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2005

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I submit recognition in honor of Pete 
Mattivi of New Castle, Colorado on the occasion of his 100th birthday. 
Since his earliest days, Pete has been dedicated to helping his 
community. He is well loved and respected by all who know him. With 
wishes for many more years of happiness and health, I congratulate Pete 
by submitting into the Congressional Record the following Glenwood 
Springs Post Independent article, dated September 12, 2005:

       With a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face, Pete 
     Mattivi, of New Castle, credits ``wine, women and song'' with 
     reaching his 100th birthday.
       But on a more serious note, he says it's friends, family 
     and his creator that allowed him to see his centennial year 
     on Sept. 8, 2005.
       A birthday celebration held Sunday afternoon for Mattivi in 
     Burning Mountain Park drew a huge crowd and a long line of 
     people who wanted to congratulate him and wish him well.
       With music by ``Heart of the Rockies'' and a buffet of 
     birthday cake and ice cream, Mattivi sat in a folding chair, 
     his cane over his legs as friends lined up to speak to him.
       Some were old friends, in wheelchairs and walkers, and some 
     were newer friends who knew of the illustrious Mattivi, 
     although they might not have met him before.
       ``You are so wonderful--everybody loves you,'' said 
     longtime New Castle resident Rosie Ferrin.
       ``One hundred years old--you look great,'' another well-
     wisher admired.
       ``I feel that way, too!'' Mattivi smiled and agreed.
       Some shared old memories they had with Mattivi.
       Liz Lewis, of Rifle, recalled when she was a school bus 
     driver in the 1970s and on a field trip with the kids while 
     Mattivi recounted the history of Marble for the students.
       ``It was one of the most interesting trips I'd ever been 
     on,'' Lewis said.
       Mattivi has long been a well-known figure in the small town 
     that currently has a population of about 3,000.
       Born in 1905, he was raised in Crystal and lived in Marble, 
     Salida and Glenwood Springs before settling in New Castle in 
     1929. There, he helped his brother, Matt, open a small 
     service station in town, which was booming at that time.
       In 1931, he married Opal Woos and the two operated the 
     Mattivi Motor Company at 298 W. Main St. It was later the 
     Three Rivers Repair/Phillips 66 station. Mattivi retired from 
     the business in 1982. Opal Mattivi passed away in August 
     2000.
       Mattivi was also a former longtime mayor of New Castle, 
     serving from 1954 to 1969, and from 1974 to 1981. He was a 
     Garfield County Commissioner from 1957 to 1977 and served 10 
     years on the Re-2 school board.
       ``Can we have your autograph?'' asked Karen Wentzel, the 
     wife of current mayor Bill Wentzel, when it was her turn in 
     line as she showed Mattivi a collage she had of his past 
     birthdays.
       Mattivi graciously signed his name.
       For years, Mattivi was known for his beautiful flower 
     gardens at his home on Main Street, just across the street 
     from where his daughter, Pam Bunn, now owns and operates the 
     New Castle Cafe.
       ``He comes in for breakfast every morning at 8:30 on the 
     dot,'' Bunn said with a laugh. ``He also comes to the senior 
     lunch and dinners.''
       Mattivi sold a portion of his property on the west side in 
     1997 but continues to garden the rest.
       And even at 100, he is still active, riding his scooter 
     across the street to the cafe and tending to his yard.
       Mattivi has no big secrets to making it to the big 1-0-0.
       ``I live day by day,'' Mattivi said earnestly. ``The next 
     thing you know, you're 100. People have been good to me, and 
     my creator has been good to me. I've just followed what was 
     given to me.''

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