[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27184]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING READERS' BOOKS, OF SONOMA

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 15, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Readers' Books, which has been named the 2007 Sonoma Valley Business of 
the Year. This store has become an institution for Sonoma and the 
surrounding communities as a source not simply of literature, but 
intellectual fulfillment in many different forms.
  Sixteen years ago, Andy and Lilla Weinberger dropped by my office to 
run an idea past me: they wanted to move into the Bay Area, and were 
hoping to open a bookstore that would do more than sell books. They 
imagined a location for the community to gather to enjoy books and hear 
authors, but also to serve as a forum for local issues and current 
events. Sonoma was suggested, and after a visit they were off and 
running.
  Readers' Books has been an incredible resource to the community over 
the last 16 years, and has played host to a wide variety of groups and 
events. The Weinbergers have supported programs for young and old, such 
as sponsoring authors at the Vintage House Senior Center. They have 
worked to bring many of these authors into schools to read for 
students, and have helped serve as judges for a students' writing 
contest. Similarly, they provide a meeting space for many community 
groups, and offer the store as a forum for political discussion, 
including an impartial explanation of ballot measures around election 
time.
  Readers' Books exemplifies the importance of independent stores for 
the sense of community in a town. Despite the rise of chain stores and 
Internet shopping, Readers' Books and small, independent stores like it 
continue to offer an irreplaceable location not just for shopping, but 
for communities to come together.
  Readers' Books is indeed a wonderful bookstore. With a friendly staff 
happy to step forward with assistance or recommendations, the 
Weinbergers have created a bibliophile's heaven. If something isn't 
available from their selection, they can help a customer find it 
quickly and efficiently.
  Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we congratulate 
Andy and Lilla Weinberger on the occasion of Readers' Books being named 
the 2007 Business of the Year. They are truly pillars of their 
community, and we have all greatly benefited from the wonderful store 
they started 16 years ago.

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