[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E338-E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF LENA CARDOSO COSTA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2006

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Congressman 
Dennis Cardoza, to share the obituary of Lena Cardoso Costa a loving 
mother to our dear friend and colleague, Congressman Jim Costa. She was 
a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who meant a great 
deal to a great many people. Knowing of the important bond between Jim 
Costa and his mother Lena, we express our deepest sympathies for his 
loss.
  Mr. Speaker, please join us in honoring and remembering the life of 
Lena Cardoso Costa.

                     Obituary to Lena Cardoso Costa

       Surrounded by loved ones Lena Cardoso Costa completed her 
     long journey of 90 years during which she contributed 
     generously to the lives of her family and her community. As a 
     member of what has been described as ``America's Greatest 
     Generation'', she knew first hand the hard-scrabble days of 
     the Great Depression, the uncertainty of living in a nation 
     at war and the joy that comes from seeing the success of her 
     children and family.
       Born in Corcoran, California on August 20, 1915 to Joseph 
     and Georgina Cardoso, Portuguese emigrants from the Azore 
     Islands, Lena Cardoso was raised in Stratford, California 
     along with her 5 brothers and 2 sisters. Her parents came to 
     America to establish for themselves and their children a 
     better life. During Lena's childhood her family endured very 
     difficult economic times, but they persevered to realize the 
     American Dream. The values of Lena's parents, hard work and 
     dedication to family, were passed on to their children.
       On October 11, 1936, Lena Cardoso married Manuel Costa and 
     joined the large extended family of John C. Costa Sr. Along 
     with his brother and his wife, John and Mary Costa, Lena and 
     Manuel established a dairy and farming business that moved 
     permanently to the Kearney Park area in 1942.
       During the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's Lena was deeply 
     involved in her community, cooking at the Kearney Elementary 
     School and serving on the school's district's Board of 
     Trustees. Because she had to quit school at the 9th grade to 
     help her family, she placed an extraordinary importance on 
     education for her children and grandchildren. As a matter of 
     fact, Lena decided for her own satisfaction in 1985, at age 
     70, to go back to school and earned her General Education 
     Degree.
       In addition, Lena was appointed to the Fresno County Social 
     Services Commission upon which she served through the late 
     60's and early 70's. She was active in the Fresno County 
     Cabrillo Club for over 60 years in support of the club's 
     numerous civic and charitable events and for years 
     represented

[[Page E339]]

     the club at the Naturalization ceremonies for new 
     citizens. Lena served as a delegate to the state 
     Democratic convention and was a member of the Fresno 
     Democratic Women's Club. One of her proudest moments was 
     on January 4, 2005 when she saw her son, Jim, sworn in as 
     a Member of Congress in Washington, D.C. as the 
     Representative for the 20th Congressional District.
       During her lifetime Lena was well read and enjoyed as 
     hobbies traveling, painting, ceramics and playing cards. For 
     over 50 years she and a group of friends played bridge 
     together at least once a month. Lena was also active within 
     the Portuguese lodges SPRSI and as a charter member of the 
     UPPEC of Kerman.
       Lena Costa is survived by her children, Congressman Jim 
     Costa of Fresno and Bette O'Sullivan and her husband Denis of 
     Mountain Lakes, NJ; grandchildren Roberta Rasmussen 
     Vinkhuyzen and her husband Dr Erik Vinkhuyzen of Tokyo, 
     Japan; Eric Rasmussen of Los Gatos; Dr Christopher Rasmussen 
     of Pasadena; Kurt Rasmussen of Eureka; and Laura Rasmussen 
     Nichols and her husband Kallen, who is stationed at Lemoore 
     Naval Air Station; Kerin O'Sullivan Berghaier and her husband 
     Richard of Chalfont, PA; Cathlyn O'Sullivan Markel and her 
     husband Howard of Zephyrhills, FL; and Patricia O'Sullivan 
     Jacobson and her husband Michael of Randolph, NJ. Lena is 
     also survived by her great-grandchildren Saskia, Pascale, and 
     Lukas Vinkhuyzen; Shayla Nichols and Tucker Rasmussen; 
     Nikolas and Alexander Jacobson; and Emma Rose Markel.
       She is also survived by her sister Elsie Martin of Hanford; 
     brothers Tony Cardoso of Kerman, Emidio Cardoso of Fresno, 
     Lee Cardoso of Hanford, Dimas Cardoso of Pismo Beach; and 
     brother-in-law Leonel Costa of Fallon Nevada. She leaves 26 
     nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
       Lena Costa was preceded in death by her husband Manuel and 
     sister Georgina Roza.

                          ____________________