[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MARCELO DEFREITAS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Marcelo Defreitas as the 2018 Honorary Alcalde for the City of Sonoma, 
California. Mayor Madolyn Agrimonti nominated Mr. Defreitas as Alcalde, 
the Spanish word for mayor, in recognition of his contributions to our 
community.
  Mr. Defreitas is from the Southern part of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, 
in the city of Uruguiana. He grew up on a cattle ranch with his 
parents, Jurema De La Vega Rodrigues de Freitas and Homero Maydana 
Rodrigues de Freitas and two older brothers, Homero and Jose Mario.
  Mr. Defreitas studied public relations in college in Brazil and began 
working in his field at the largest publishing company in South 
America. In 1984, he moved to San Francisco to finish his degree and to 
learn English. After graduating from the University of San Francisco 
with a degree in graphic arts, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from 
the Academy of Art University. In 1988, he joined Primo Angeli Inc., 
and worked his way up from junior designer to art director.
  Mr. Defreitas has served as the President of the Board of Directors 
for La Luz Center since 2016. He has been instrumental in organizing 
fundraisers such as ``Noche de Moon,'' which has furthered the Center's 
role in the immigrant community. He has also fundraised and organized 
committees to support local non-profits, including the Sonoma Valley 
Museum of Art, Jack London State Park, Lyon Ranch and Sonoma Valley 
Fund.
  Recently Mr. Defreitas' service has expanded to include helping 
victims of the October wildfires. Through his 10 to 12 hour work days 
at La Luz Center, he helped distribute $1.2 million in disaster 
unemployment assistance, individual assistance disaster relief funds, 
rent assistance and other services. This is not out of character for 
him. As he says, ``service is my passion.''
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Defreitas is the hard working leader and dedicated 
community member we should all strive to be. He has seamlessly blended 
his professional and personal passions, leaving a legacy of community 
collaboration. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Marcelo 
Defreitas as Sonoma's 43rd Honorary Alcalde.

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