[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING MARIO AND JOE SIMOES FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I am honored to join with my colleague, Mr. 
Costa, to recognize these two brothers, Mario and Joe Simoes, for their 
accomplishments as both immigrants and farmers.
  After the death of their mother when they were only 9 years old, 
Mario and Joe, aged 15, along with their father and younger sister, 
emigrated from Portugal in search of a better life for their family. 
Their first jobs were with the Manuel Faria and Sons Dairy in 
California. In 1970, some 20 years after coming to America, Mario and 
Joe bought their first dairy farm from this same family. Today, Mario 
and Joe, along with their extended families, own more than 10,000 cows 
and farm around 3,000 acres between them.
  These brothers, born only 12 minutes apart, embody the hard work and 
perseverance that are so emblematic of the first American immigrants. 
They have always shared a special bond that has pushed them to share 
both their lives and livelihoods with each other. They even share the 
same wedding anniversary, although Joe was married four years after 
Mario.
  Because of their active involvement in the agricultural community, 
Mario and Joe were both named as the 2007 Dairyman of the Year by the 
Tulare High School's SOPAS Club. Both brothers have served as president 
of the SPDES and both are members of the TDES, Land O' Lakes Tulare 
Division, the Dairy Farmers of America, and the St. John's of Tipton 
Men's Club.
  On April 25, Mario and Joe will be honored as ``Farmers of the Year'' 
at the annual Kiwanis Luncheon in Tulare, CA. On behalf of myself and 
Mr. Costa, it is an honor to recognize their hard work and dedication 
to community. Mario and Joe serve as a constant reminder of the values 
of this Nation and the unbreakable spirit of the American people.

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