[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 118 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E655-E656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING MR. JACK DING, RECIPIENT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Jack Ding, a renowned member of our community who has been chosen to 
receive the prestigious American Dream Award for California's Fourth 
Congressional District. This award honors immigrants who have excelled 
professionally, through entrepreneurship and innovation, in the arts 
and culture, or through community service. Mr. Ding's exceptional 
leadership and advocacy makes him a very deserving recipient of this 
recognition and award.
  Mr. Ding was born in China, where he received a diploma for 
electrical engineering. He immigrated to the United States in 1993 to 
study at Dominican University, working his way through school to 
receive a Master's in Business Administration. He became a United 
States Citizen in 2008 and moved to the City of Sonoma, where he became 
a vital member of the community through his advocacy and 
entrepreneurship.
  Mr. Ding began his career as a tax practitioner for the Internal 
Revenue Service in 2007. He then opened his small business, Unicom Tax 
Services, with a focus on tax representation. In 2010, he helped 
establish a free tax clinic at La Luz Center in Sonoma. He has served 
on the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission and is currently 
serving on the Sonoma City Council. Mr. Ding has been a champion for 
the interests of California taxpayers. Mr. Ding is a member of the 
National Association of Enrolled Agents, and has been an outspoken 
advocate for taxpayers, traveling to the United States' Capitol on 
multiple occasions to advocate to amend the Tax Cut and Jobs Act and 
most recently to increase the IRS funding and tax reform.
  Mr. Ding was elected as the Mayor of the City of Sonoma in 2022, 
becoming the first Asian American to hold this office. Mr. Ding 
regularly engages with immigrant groups, encouraging people to be 
active participants in local and national politics. In the aftermath of 
the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Ding's utilized the American Rescue Plan and 
fiscal policy to increase Sonoma's reserve funds by $3 million. In 
addition, he has led fundraising efforts for a pavilion to honor local 
Chinese laborers' contribution to the local wine industry. In response 
to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Ding hosted a press conference 
with the Ukrainian Counsel General to condemn the invasion and helped 
raise over $150,000 for Ukraine Sister City.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ding's advocacy, and service as an elected official 
have greatly enriched the Sonoma community. His readiness

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to help others is evident in his impactful work in the district and on 
Capitol Hill. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here 
today with the American Dream Award.

                          ____________________