[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF CONNIE CORVELO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2011

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to 
recognize a faithful and tireless volunteer in the Atwater community, 
Connie Corvelo.
  Connie grew up in the Visalia area on her family dairy in Goshen 
where her parents, Joseph Pereira and Balvina Orique Pereira, were 
dairy farmers dating back to 1935. Connie's father immigrated to the 
United States from the Azores Islands and her mother was born in 
California. She attended schools in Goshen and graduated from Mt. 
Whitney High School in Visalia in 1955.
  Connie married her loving husband George Corvelo in 1988. George 
farmed and Connie worked for the Merced Sun Star as an Administrative 
Assistant to the General Manager for 10 years. Connie and George 
purchased ``Out to Lunch'' in 1993 and started a catering business. As 
Atwater Chamber members, Connie and George have catered meals for 
organizations, reunions, birthdays and many other events. Connie and 
George retired from the restaurant business in 2000 but have continued 
their catering company to this day. Their catering company was named 
Business of the Year in 2004-2005 by the Atwater Chamber of Commerce.
  Shortly thereafter, Connie embarked on a cookbook writing adventure. 
Her first cookbook, titled My Portuguese Mother's Kitchen, was 
published in 2010. Her second cookbook, Out to Lunch: Memories and 
Recipes, has recently been released.
  Connie is an active member of the Atwater community. George and 
Connie have been members of the Atwater-Winton Lions club for many 
years. In 2006, as a member of the Atwater Women's Club, Connie 
volunteered to share her prized chicken salad recipe and expertise as a 
fundraiser for the restoration of the clubhouse and yard. Within a few 
years, this spirit of volunteerism has spread throughout the community 
and the historic building has been painted, fenced, landscaped, air 
conditioned and much more. Connie and George continue to help with the 
salad event twice a year. It is this selfless volunteerism that has 
earned Connie the Atwater Women's Club Volunteer of the Year Award.
  Connie has three children whom she adores spending time with. Her 
son, Dr. Jon Nunes, is a scientist with Roche and is married to Kelly 
Tanner Nunes. They have two daughters, Jordan and Julie. Connie's 
daughter, Annemarie Nunes Cousino, lives with her husband Richard 
``Rick'' Cousino in Maryland. Rick recently retired from the United 
States Air Force after serving as Crew Chief for many years on Air 
Force One. They have two children, Gabrielle and Zachary. Connie's 
third child, Allison Nunes, is a meeting and event planner for an 
international company in Phoenix.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me, and the Atwater 
Women's Club, in honoring a truly wonderful member of the Atwater 
community, Connie Corvelo.

                          ____________________