[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 41 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SALUTING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF JONATHAN DOS SANTOS 
                                RAMIREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2018

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Jonathan dos Santos 
Ramirez for his many positive contributions to Los Angeles and beyond, 
both as a prominent soccer player and as an active member of the 
community.
  Jonathan was born April 26, 1990, in Monterey, Mexico, as the 
youngest of three children born to Geraldo Francisco dos Santos and 
Liliana Ramirez. A member of FC Barcelona's famed youth academy system, 
La Masia, Jonathan made his eventual debut with the senior team as a 
19-year-old during a match in Spain's Copa del Rey. He remained in 
Barcelona through 2014, making 29 appearances in all competitions, 
including matches played in the UEFA Champions' League, La Liga Super 
Copa, and the Copa del Rey.
  In 2014, Jonathan transferred to Villarreal CF in La Liga, where he 
developed into one of Spain's standout midfielders. During his time 
with the club, he has made over 120 appearances in all competitions, 
while scoring seven times and adding eight assists. Internationally, he 
has made 29 appearances in all competitions as a member of the Mexican 
National Team, including matches in FIFA World Cup Qualifying and the 
FIFA Confederations Cup.
  Jonathan's extraordinary soccer career, and his hard work to reach 
his goals, are an inspiration to young people around the world. As a 
new member of the Los Angeles Galaxy, he has become an incredible role 
model throughout Southern California.
  Jonathan joined the Galaxy as the team's third Designated Player on 
July 28, 2017, and plays alongside his brother, Giovani dos Santos 
Ramirez. Since joining the Galaxy, Jonathan's passion for giving back 
has inspired his many philanthropic efforts in the LA community. In 
July 2017, he and Giovani hosted a community soccer clinic based on the 
values and techniques they have learned during their careers. The 
brothers wanted to contribute to the educational and athletic 
development of aspiring low-income young soccer players by shaping 
their skills, instilling virtues such as respect, humility, and 
teamwork, and setting them on a path to success.
  On March 17,2018, Jonathan will once again support the community and 
appear for his fans in South Gate, California, to support the biggest 
Soccer Community Tournament in Los Angeles County history. The 
tournament is being hosted by the largest Latin regional record label, 
DEL Records, a company headquartered in Bell Gardens in my 40th 
Congressional District.
  Jonathan Dos Santos Ramirez has shown exemplary commitment to the 
people of Los Angeles and beyond, and I am pleased to recognize his 
work as an athlete and philanthropist. I hope my colleagues will join 
me in recognizing his varied contributions and positive impact.

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