[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19097]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO BRIAN AND CONNIE VERMEULEN

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                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2009

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
a couple from my congressional district who have spent their lives 
giving back to their community in Orange County, California. Brian and 
Connie Vermeulen are dedicated public servants, fully committed to 
improving the quality of life in the City of San Juan Capistrano for 
both neighbors and visitors. I was happy to learn that their selfless 
commitment to the values, ideals and traditions that this country was 
founded upon has earned them recognition from the San Juan Capistrano 
Chamber of Commerce as Man and Woman of the Year.
  Brian and Connie both moved with their families to the Capistrano 
Valley in the early 1960s. They also both attended the parish grammar 
school and have remained members of the San Juan Mission parish ever 
since. Over the years, while busy running a business and raising 
children and grandchildren, they have never missed an opportunity to 
get involved with the community.
  Together, Brian and Connie have become champions for a number of 
cherished local organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club and the 
Fiesta Association. They have logged countless hours as yearly 
volunteers for the San Juan Historical Society and the Capistrano 4-H 
Rangers. Aside from their joint ventures, the Vermeulens also pursue 
their passions individually. Brian volunteers his time and talent as a 
Little League Coach and Connie is involved with religious education 
programs at the Mission parish.
  The Vermeulens are the kind of citizens that this country can be 
proud of; humble and hardworking, they truly represent the heart of 
America. I want to thank Brian and Connie Vermeulen not just for their 
tremendous sacrifice and remarkable accomplishment, but for providing 
us all with a glowing example of what it means to be an American.

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