[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25382]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       A TRIBUTE TO PREFECT PIERO MATTEI OF THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2009

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
celebrate the remarkable service of Dr. Piero Mattei, who is Prefect to 
the Province of Vicenza in the Republic of Italy. Prefect Mattei is 
retiring after forty years of remarkable service to not only the 
Italian people, but also to our country.
  The U.S. Army's Southern European Task Force's, USASETAF, 
headquarters is based in the city of Caserma Ederle, in Vicenza. The 
USASETAF base is home to the 173rd Airborne Battalion, 14th 
Transportation Battalion, 22nd Area Support Group, 509th Signal 
Battalion, and the 663rd Transportation Detachment. Prefect Mattei has 
been a steadfast friend of the United States of America, and has shown 
particular care and concern for the American soldiers, civilians, and 
families who live and work at USASETAF. Prefect Mattei has shown great 
personal courage and great respect in dealing with sensitive issues of 
international importance.
  When protesters tried to block the construction of the 173rd 
Airborne's new base in Dal Molin, it was Prefect Mattei's skill and 
personal intervention that helped to move the project forward towards 
completion. This is just one of many examples of this extraordinary 
public servant's devotion to justice and warm relations between our two 
great nations.
  On behalf of this thankful nation, I wish Prefect Mattei and Signora 
Piera the very best as they embark on this new and exciting chapter in 
their life. They will always be special friends of the people of the 
United States of America.

                          ____________________