[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7427]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF MR. JUSTIN MENDES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2016

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Mr. Justin Mendes for 
his service to my office and California's Central Valley.
  Mr. Mendes was born on September 17, 1986 in Fresno, California to 
Tom Mendes and Karen Carreiro. After attending Riverdale High School in 
Riverdale, California, Mr. Mendes went on to receive his Bachelor's 
Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Pacific in 
Stockton, California. Upon his graduation in 2008, Mr. Mendes worked in 
the banking industry, specifically in agricultural lending.
  In 2010, Mr. Mendes began his career in public service with my office 
in Hanford, while I was then serving in the California State Assembly. 
Upon my election to the United States House of Representatives in 2012, 
he continued his service as my District Director, a position he held 
until March, 2016. During his time as District Director in my office, 
Mr. Mendes demonstrated himself to be a person of outstanding character 
and work ethic. His knowledge of the Twenty-First Congressional 
District of California was immensely beneficial to my office and my 
constituents. Throughout his career, Mr. Mendes has been an invaluable 
asset to Team Valadao and the people of California's Central Valley. 
Without his advice and friendship, I would not be where I am at today.
  In March of 2014, Mr. Mendes and his fiancee Melissa celebrated the 
birth of their first child, Alexander. Their family currently resides 
in Hanford, California.
  Mr. Mendes again demonstrated his dedication to public service when 
he was elected Mayor of Hanford in December of 2015. I have no doubt 
his work ethic, combined with his knowledge of public policy and his 
community, will be immensely valuable to the citizens of Hanford.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in commending Justin Mendes for his public 
service to the people of the Central Valley and wishing him well in 
this next chapter of his life.

                          ____________________