[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E902-E903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING VINCI RICCHIUTI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Vinci 
Ricchiuti upon being named one of the ``2009 Common Threads Honorees'' 
by California State University, Fresno. Mrs. Ricchiuti will be honored 
at the 13th Annual Common Threads Luncheon to be held on Friday, April 
3, 2009.
  The Common Threads Award recognizes women who have made a remarkable 
and visible contribution to the enhancement of their communities. Vinci 
Ricchiuti was born and raised in Fresno, California, and spent her 
childhood on and around her family's farm. Her grandparents farmed tree 
fruit and almonds. She married Patrick Ricchiuti in 1981 and became a 
member of another farming family; she quickly became an ambassador for 
fresh fruit and nuts. Even with her role as a businesswoman and mother, 
she continues to make time for community involvement.
  Mrs. Ricchiuti has volunteered for 10 different committees with 
California State University; including Foundation Board of Governors, 
Budget Committee Chair, Ambassador for Higher Education Committee, 
Comprehensive Campaign Leadership Committee and Alumni Board Past 
Director. She is also a Foundation board member for Community Regional 
Medical Center, an advisory board member for the Nazareth House and a 
past president for Fort Washington Elementary School. Between Mrs.

[[Page E903]]

Ricchiuti's volunteerism and her philanthropic spirit, the time and 
produce that she has donated has benefited multiple organizations in 
the Fresno area including numerous schools within the Clovis Unified 
School District, the Fresno Art Museum, Fresno Metropolitan Museum, 
Junior League of Fresno and Assistance League of Fresno. She has made 
donations to various California State University organizations and the 
not-for-profit hospitals in the region.
  For Mrs. Ricchiuti's commitment and dedication to her community, she 
has been recognized as the ``California State University, Fresno Alumni 
of the Year'' from the School of Arts and Humanities, the ``Arthur 
Safstrom Award for Outstanding Service to Fresno State.'' She has also 
been named the California State University, Fresno Alumni Association 
``Top Dog,'' the Association of Fundraising Professionals ``Volunteer 
Fundraiser of the Year,'' and the Foundation for Clovis Schools 
``Guardian of the Year.''
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Vinci 
Ricchiuti upon being named a ``2009 Common Threads Honoree'' by 
California State University, Fresno. I invite my colleagues to join me 
in wishing Mrs. Ricchiuti many years of continued success.

                          ____________________