[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E318-E319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING ALCALDESSA ELIZABETH KEMP OF SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with 
my colleague, Lynn Woolsey, to recognize Elizabeth Kemp, who has been 
named the City of Sonoma's 2009 Alcaldessa, or Honorary Mayor.
  The title, ``Alcalde'' or ``Alcaldessa'' when referring to a woman, 
is the Spanish word for ``Mayor.'' During the Spanish colonial period 
in California, the Alcalde was the primary civil authority. In modern 
times in the City of Sonoma, it is an honorary title and the 
contemporary Alcalde or Alcaldessa presides over ceremonial events for 
the city.
  Alcaldes and Alcaldessas are nominated by the community and are 
representative of individuals with a long record of volunteer work. Ms. 
Kemp is no exception to this rule.
  Ms. Kemp attributes her community activism to her early years in 
London during WW II. That experience led her to be aware of the needs 
of others and to an understanding that anyone's circumstances can 
change in a matter of minutes. She emigrated from England when she was 
21 and has lived in Sonoma since 1969.
  In 2000, Ms. Kemp recognized that many migrant workers had no place 
to live and were sleeping under bridges. She helped to organize one 
temporary camp, then joined with Vineyard Workers Services to create 
two more camps that are open during harvest. She currently serves as 
President of the Board of Directors of Vineyard Workers Services.
  Ms. Kemp initiated the Brown Bagger program in 2004. The program 
prepares and distributes more than 180 nutritious lunches each week to 
the homeless and others who are unable to purchase food. This past 
summer, Ms. Kemp organized a group of volunteers to provide bag lunches 
to students who normally receive free lunches at school when school is 
in session and to their younger siblings. As a member of the Board of 
Directors of Sonoma Overnight Support, Ms. Kemp has also been involved 
in the development of the first permanent homeless shelter in Sonoma.
  And, lest we think her interests are only parochial, Ms. Kemp is an 
active member of Friends of Turkana, a local group that raises funds 
for two medical missions in East Africa.
  Madam Speaker, Elizabeth Kemp is a beloved and vitally important 
member of the community and it is appropriate that we acknowledge her 
today as Sonoma's Alcaldessa for 2009.

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