[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF RALPH CALCATERRA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2011

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, on June 18, 2011, surrounded by his family, 
my friend Ralph Calcaterra of Atherton, California, passed away. He 
leaves his wife Ferne, two children, Melissa Freeman and Richard 
Calcaterra, and three grandchildren.
  For almost forty years, my family was blessed with the friendship of 
Ralph Calcaterra.
  He made us laugh across the decades and generations.
  He rode his bike to our house on Saturdays for almost twenty years--
smiling and calling out, ``anybody home?'' and ``what's going on?''
  We learned more about Iron Mountain, Michigan, and Las Vegas, than 
anybody else in Atherton.
  We saw how much a man can love his wife, his children, and his 
grandchildren.
  We learned the latest prices of real estate in Atherton--including 
who had bought what, and at what price.
  Most of all, we saw close up and personal, what loyal friendship was. 
Ralph embodied it.
  Today, heaven is a better place. Saints and sinners alike are 
laughing and learning as we did because Ralph is there.
  Thank you Ralph, for being our loving, smiling and loyal friend.
  You enriched our lives just by being wonderful you, and we are 
already missing you.
  Happy bike riding across heaven, and know we will love you across 
eternity.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
offering our condolences to the family of Ralph Calcaterra, a proud 
citizen and a true patriot of our country.

                          ____________________