[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 77 (Friday, May 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE INTERNATIONAL WORLD PEACE ROSE GARDENS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 5, 2023

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the International 
World Peace Rose Gardens and the founders--TJ ``The Rose Man'' David 
and Sylvia Villalobos--as they celebrate with community members at the 
20th anniversary of the California State Capitol World Peace Rose 
Garden, located on the grounds of the California State Capitol. I would 
like to also recognize the 31st anniversary of the Martin Luther King, 
Jr. ``I Have a Dream'' World Peace Rose Garden that TJ David and Sylvia 
Villalobos will be attending on May 11th this year, along with members 
of the National Park Service and the Atlanta community
  Founded in 1988, the Sacramento-based non-profit organization 
celebrated in 1992 the first garden, the Martin Luther King, Jr. ``I 
Have a Dream'' World Peace Rose Garden, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. 
National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization now has 
ten World Peace Rose Gardens around the world, including the California 
State Capitol World Peace Rose Garden in Sacramento. TJ David and 
Sylvia Villalobos have been strong advocates in raising awareness of 
important national leaders and causes. They continue to provide 
inspiration for all. Through the Inspirational Messages of Peace 
Contest, youth in grades K-11th are invited to write about an aspect of 
peace they believe in.
  Established in 2003, the California State Capitol World Peace Rose 
Garden in Sacramento is dedicated to peace for women, children, and 
families. Featuring more than 650 roses with hundreds of varieties, the 
garden serves as a public monument for international, intercultural, 
and interfaith understanding. This garden is the symbolic center for 
global programs that nurture creative expressions of peace by students. 
Forty-four plaques bearing messages of peace from children around the 
world are displayed throughout the garden, inspiring visitors as they 
relax or explore. The garden is one of the rare and few honored to 
display All American Rose Selections, featuring new types of roses 
never-before seen by the public. The garden also honors veterans, with 
a dedicated section of roses named after wars, honor medals, and 
veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking TJ ``The 
Rose Man'' David and Sylvia Villalobos for making their vision a 
reality by creating International World Peace Rose Gardens, spreading 
the message of peace and harmony through the beauty of roses.

                          ____________________