[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 45 (Monday, March 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DOROTHY BERTUCCI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2012

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dorothy Bertucci, a 
leading citizen of Petaluma, CA, who passed away February 23, 2012. She 
died peacefully at home at the age of 93 after a lifetime in her 
hometown where she was best known for her promotion of libraries and 
her kind spirit.
  Dorothy was born in Petaluma, at home. Her parents, the prominent 
Mattei family, owned a men's clothing store downtown, not far from the 
house. She attended St. Vincent de Paul High school and graduated from 
UC Berkeley (Cal) in 1941. With a degree in library science and 
history, she then worked in the libraries at both Cal and UCLA.
  Later at Cal, she also met her husband Andy Bertucci. In 1949, the 
two went to a Cal game on a blind date, married in 1950, and enjoyed a 
49-year marriage. Andy worked in the family clothing store, and the 
couple raised their four children in Petaluma. After Andy's retirement 
in 1977, the two traveled together frequently and enjoyed many games of 
golf till Andy's death in 1999.
  Dorothy was active in the City, including its political campaigns, 
but libraries were her true mission. She knew libraries represented the 
heart of the community, a place where everyone had access to 
information and a gateway into the magic of reading. She was a 
librarian and a member of the Library Board of Trustees in Petaluma as 
well as serving on the Sonoma County Library Commission and the 
California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners (including 
a stint as President).
  Straightforward, dedicated, and optimistic, she was the ideal person 
to help in the campaign for a bond measure for a new library in 
Petaluma. It passed in 1976 on the fourth try, with Dorothy championing 
the effort all the way. In 1974, she was honored as Petaluma's Citizen 
of the Year for her involvement.
  Dorothy is survived by her four children John, Paul, Tom, and Ann and 
their partners as well as three grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, citizens like Dorothy Bertucci remind us what caring 
people can accomplish for their communities. Please join me in honoring 
her life and accomplishments.

                          ____________________