[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 146 (Tuesday, October 6, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SACRAMENTO CABRILLO CIVIC CLUB

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 2015

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Ms. Matsui to 
celebrate the 100th anniversary of the historic Cabrillo Civic Club in 
Sacramento, California--an institution that has brought families and 
communities together since its establishment.
  The Spanish mission style building began as the Sutter School in 
1915, an elementary school whose students were mostly children of 
immigrants. Due to the majority of students being of Portuguese descent 
or children of Japanese farmers, the students of the Sutter School 
relied heavily on their education to assimilate as Americans. As the 
school grew in popularity and enrollment increased, two additional 
wings were added to the building, but eventually closed its doors as a 
school in 1952.
  In 1954, the property was purchased by the current owners, Cabrillo 
Civic Club Number 5 of Sacramento County. The members of the Cabrillo 
Civic Clubs of California are dedicated to the civic progress of 
Californians of Portuguese descent in memory of their compatriot, John 
Rodrigues Cabrillo, discoverer of California on September 28, 1542. 
Being third generation Portuguese, I feel strongly that this 
organization has helped foster the growth of our rich culture and 
sustained the strong community values we hold.
  Today the members continue to be dedicated to community development 
and involvement in and around every club. Not only is the building 
available for rent to host events such as weddings, anniversaries, 
birthdays, reunions, fundraisers, and memorials for the Sacramento 
County, but the club also promotes scholarships for students of 
Portuguese descent and better education in campus youth programs. These 
programs perpetuate the achievements of other Portuguese forefathers in 
the state of California, just like Cabrillo.
  The Club has also been known for many charitable activities, 
including: blood drives; fund raising for polio and cancer research, 
and assisting candidates for U.S. citizenship. In addition, they foster 
a great amount of energy into promoting Portuguese culture through 
sponsorship of various special events such as Portuguese Immigrant Week 
and local ``Festas Portuguesas.'' The Cabrillo Civic Club of Sacramento 
County has done an incredible job for the past 100 years in uniting 
families of Portuguese descent in a community where public service, 
education, and culture are valued.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that Ms. Matsui and I ask our 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in congratulating 
the 100th anniversary of the historic Cabrillo Civic Club in 
Sacramento, and to wish them many more prosperous years in promoting 
Portuguese achievements in the state of California.

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