[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ART IBLETO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Art 
Ibleto's lifetime of achievements and generous service to our community 
upon his 90th birthday.
  Mr. Ibleto was born in the town of Sesta Godano in Northern Italy on 
October 2, 1926. As a young man, he fought with resistance groups 
against Fascism and Nazi Germany.
  After valiantly serving his home country, Mr. Ibleto immigrated to 
the United States and decided to settle in Sonoma County in 1949 
calling it ``one of the most beautiful places on earth.'' He began 
working in Sonoma's fields as a vegetable picker, mechanic and truck 
driver, and soon fell in love with Vicki Ghiradelli whom he married in 
1951. The couple soon began to live their own American Dream and bought 
their first home together in 1961. They developed their own farm soon 
thereafter to raise hogs, cattle, and potatoes. They later added a 
Christmas tree farm, a vineyard and real estate on their property.
  Mr. Ibleto founded the Spaghetti Palace at the Sonoma County Fair as 
a United Lodges, Sons of Italy project in 1974. What began as a project 
soon became an institutional landmark. The success of his Spaghetti 
Palace inspired Mr. Ibleto to pursue a career of supplying locals with 
his own line of Italian cuisine and catering inspired by traditional 
Italian methods. Today, Art's booming business is well known throughout 
California and local residents affectionately refer to him as the 
``Pasta King.''
  Art is a cook, grape grower, winemaker and a constant source of pride 
for our community in Sonoma County. In the last few years, Mr. Ibleto's 
charity pasta feeds have raised over $500,000 to support a wide range 
of causes from local animal shelters to survivors of a terrible Highway 
101 accident.
  Mr. Speaker, Art Ibleto has not only led a successful career in 
agriculture, but he has become a culinary and community leader of 
legendary proportions. He is a true friend of our community and a good 
friend of mine. Mr. Ibleto's work and philanthropy have left an 
indelible mark on Sonoma County and California, and it is therefore 
fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

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