[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 124 (Monday, July 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING RIITTA DeANDA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 21, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Riitta 
DeAnda, a leader and public servant who has been named California's 4th 
Congressional District 2025 American Dream Award Recipient for Solano 
County. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in our 
district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in 
the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, 
Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service.
  Mrs. DeAnda was born in Turku, Finland, and immigrated with her 
parents to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where they became Canadian 
citizens. Eight years later, they moved to Richmond, California, 
fulfilling her father's long-standing goal of settling in the United 
States. Mrs. DeAnda became a U.S. citizen at age 22.
  Mrs. DeAnda worked for a large commercial insurance company in San 
Francisco for many years, after which she founded an insurance agency 
in Vallejo and later moved its office location to American Canyon. She 
became involved in the communities where her office was located by 
joining the local Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. DeAnda feels it is 
important to make a difference in the communities in which you work and 
live. In 2018, she sold the insurance agency but has not slowed down.
  Around the district, Mrs. DeAnda is known for her enthusiasm and 
dedication to various organizations, many of which she has been 
involved with for years. Currently, Mrs. DeAnda serves as the Chair of 
the Napa-Solano Area Council on Aging, the Treasurer of Sierra Club 
Solano, and the Secretary of the Northern Solano Democratic Club. 
Additionally, she was a Board Member of Travis Unified School District 
and served as its President from 2020-2021. Mrs. DeAnda actively 
engages with our community as she serves as a Committee Member of Walk 
to End Alzheimer's Solano, leadership of Solano Together, and a Board 
Member of the Finnish American Home Association (FAHA). She is involved 
in organizations that reflect her personal experiences and values, 
allowing her to advocate for causes that resonate with her identity and 
represent the needs and perspectives of her community.
  Mrs. DeAnda also aids our district by helping community members. 
Licensed by the IRS, Mrs. DeAnda has been able to help our community 
members prepare their tax return documents. Additionally, Mrs. DeAnda 
has helped produce a monthly newsletter for Councilmember Jeannette 
Wylie, has become a Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy counselor, 
and has helped distribute quilts to those in need through Lutheran 
World Relief. Her dedication to philanthropy and helping others is 
admirable and has a positive impact on our community.
  Mrs. DeAnda is a powerful embodiment of civic engagement, where she 
has exercised her rights and voted in every election since she became a 
citizen. It is a right she is proud to have and even spurred her to 
join the Northern Solano Democratic Club, later becoming the 
organization's Secretary, and has phone-banked during numerous election 
cycles, motivating others to become civically involved.
  Mrs. DeAnda earned her master's degree from San Francisco State 
University. She was married to the late James DeAnda and is the proud 
mother of their daughter, Kristina, who resides in Denver, Colorado, 
and their son, James, who lives in Vacaville with his wife and their 
five children.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Riitta DeAnda for 
her service, leadership, and dedication to California's 4th District.

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