[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING FRED THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor one of our outstanding community leaders, Fred Thomas of 
Immokalee, Florida. Mr. Thomas truly embodies the ideals of service, 
selflessness and leadership.
  For 16 years, Mr. Thomas served as the Executive Director of the 
Collier County Public Housing Authority, and during his tenure, 
significantly increased public housing in Immokalee, a farm-worker 
community in rural Southwest Florida. Though he retired from public 
service in 2002, he has continued his activism and involvement in the 
community.
  No one knows Immokalee better than Mr. Thomas, who is known by 
friends and neighbors as the unofficial mayor. He dedicates each day of 
his life to advancing the needs of his community and ensuring that 
Immokalee thrives. He is a selfless community leader and answers the 
call of duty not for recognitions or merits, but because of a true love 
for his town and a desire to see it prosper.
  Originally from New York, Fred has been a proud resident of Immokalee 
for more than two decades and enjoys much of what Florida has to offer, 
like hunting and fishing. He is also a talented and recognized 
photographer, always capturing Florida's unique wildlife and pristine 
environment. He is married to wife Cheryl, a well-respected and beloved 
leader in her own right.
  Mr. Thomas is a passionate advocate for Immokalee and an eloquent 
voice for his country. He often frequents commission meetings and 
speaks out on behalf of his neighbors and the needs of Immokalee 
residents. His professional and business affiliations include: 
Commissioner of the Immokalee Water and Sewer District, Chairman of the 
Citizens Advisory Committee of the Collier County Municipal Planning 
Organization, Vice-Chairman of the Immokalee Enterprise Zone Boar, 
Chairman of the Immokalee Community Development Advisory Board, Collier 
County Sheriff's Commission, Board of Directors of Immokalee Chamber of 
Commerce, Member of the Immokalee Rotary and Member of the Immokalee 
Optimist. Most recently, in 2009, he was appointed by Governor Charlie 
Crist to serve as a Board Member of the South Florida Water Management 
District's Big Cypress Basin.
  As we celebrate Black History Month, please join me in thanking Fred 
Thomas, and his wife Cheryl, for their invaluable service and 
contributions to the southwest Florida community and their leadership, 
which makes a difference in the lives of many each day.

                          ____________________