[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 41 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E286-E287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SALUTING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF GIOVANI ``GIO'' 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 recognize Mr. Giovani 
``Gio'' dos Santos Ramirez on his athletic and philanthropic 
contributions to the Los Angeles community and beyond.
  Giovani, who was born May 11, 1989, is a Mexican professional soccer 
player who currently plays for the Major League Soccer club the Los 
Angeles Galaxy, as well as the Mexico national team. He began his 
football career at a very young age, being recruited by Spanish club FC 
Barcelona and playing for their B team until age 18. Giovani made his 
way up the ranks, eventually debuting for the senior squad in 2007. 
That year, he was named by World Soccer Magazine as one of the ``Top 50 
Most Exciting Teen Footballers.''
  As a member of the Mexico under-17 team, Giovani won the 2005 U17 
World Championship held in Peru. In 2007, he made his debut for the 
senior national team in a victory over Panama on September 9, and 
represented El Tri at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. With Mexico, 
he won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009, 2011 and 2015, scoring in the 
2009 and 2011 finals and winning the 2009 MVP award. He was also a 
member of the Mexican team that won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer 
Olympics.
  Since joining the Los Angeles Galaxy, Giovani's passion for giving 
back has led him and his brother to host community soccer events in LA. 
In July 2017, Giovani and his brother Jonathan hosted a community 
soccer clinic based on the values and methods they have acquired over 
the course of their careers. The brothers contributed to the 
educational and athletic development of aspiring low-income young 
soccer players by helping shape their skills and guiding them on a path 
to becoming future stars. I commend them for this project, for their 
desire to give back to the community, and for their willingness to 
share their career lessons with young people. I understand the clinic 
was an unforgettable experience for the youth in attendance.
  On March 17, 2018, Giovani will support the community once again by 
appearing for his fans in South Gate, California, to support the 
biggest Soccer Community Tournament in Los Angeles County history. The 
tournament will be hosted by the largest Latin regional record label, 
DEL Records, a company headquartered in Bell Gardens in my 40th 
Congressional District.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to salute Giovani dos Santos Ramirez 
for his achievements on the playing field and in the community. I ask 
my colleagues to please join me in applauding his outstanding 
contributions.

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