[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 102 (Friday, June 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E625-E626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING JIMMY UKEGAWA AS MY CONSTITUENTS OF THE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE LEVIN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 11, 2021

  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize 
Jimmy Ukegawa for my May Constituent of the Month. The COVID-19 
pandemic has placed numerous burdens on constituents in my district, 
including a troubling rise in food insecurity. As a third-generation 
farmer who has been in business for more than three decades, Jimmy is 
no stranger to the stress of business ups and downs. Last March, after 
witnessing so many neighbors and friends struggling to make ends meet 
during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jimmy, his staff, and partners donated 
more than 500,000 pounds of food to those affected by food insecurity.
  His effort began when the pandemic first hit, partnering with the 
Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad and Carlsbad Senior Center to ensure 
children and those most vulnerable had something to eat. Since then, 
Jimmy's food donation efforts have grown to include Head Start 
programs, North County Lifeline, schools, and affordable living 
residences throughout Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Vista. Additionally, as 
the course of the pandemic played out, Jimmy wanted to make sure 
vulnerable and at-risk people in the district could still shop for 
nutritious fresh food, so he created an open-air market in his 
warehouse.
  Over the course of this pandemic, I witnessed first-hand, residents 
lining up for food just to place a nourishing meal on the table for 
their families. I am incredibly grateful for constituents like Jimmy 
who stepped up to help the most vulnerable and in need families in CA-
49. Our community is brighter and better because of Jimmy and his 
staffs generosity. I

[[Page E626]]

thank him from the bottom ofmy heart for his leadership and compassion 
in supporting our community, and I'm honored to recognize him as my May 
Constituent of the Month.

                          ____________________