[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING AL AND KATHY MAZZA OF SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
two extraordinary individuals who have jointly been named the City of 
Sonoma's 2006 Alcalde and Alcaldesa, or Honorary Mayors.
  Al and Kathy Mazza are the ultimate power couple. Al was the Fire 
Chief for the City of Sonoma when he met and married Kathy, a city 
employee, 18 years ago. Between them, there has scarcely been a special 
event or project in which they have not been involved.
  Al was born and raised in Sonoma. After he retired as Fire Chief, he 
was elected to the City Council, where he twice served as mayor.
  He has been President of the Sonoma Fire Chief's Association and 
developed the Sonoma Valley Firemed System, which integrated existing 
emergency response agencies into one system.
  His civic activities include membership in the Chamber of Commerce, 
the ``Field of Dreams'' Committee to build ball fields for city youth, 
the Sonoma Valley Athletic Club and Sonoma Valley Little League.
  Kathy worked for the City of Sonoma for 17 years. Since her 
retirement, she has served as Vice President of the Sonoma Plaza 
Foundation's Red & White Ball, which has raised more than $750,000 for 
downtown improvements and to local non-profit organizations.
  Kathy has also been actively involved with the Valley of the Moon 
Teen Center and the Sonoma County Mental Health Clinic.
  Both Al and Kathy were instrumental in leading the citizen's 
committee that successfully turned out voters to approve a parcel tax 
to help pay the operating expenses of the local hospital four years 
ago.
  Mr. Speaker, Al and Kathy Mazza represent the character and spirit of 
the City of Sonoma and it is therefore appropriate that we honor them 
today as the 2006 Alcalde and Alcaldesa.

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