E682 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 19, 2017 Congressional District of North Carolina, I ex- IN RECOGNITION OF DAVID owns and operates Gustavo Wine. Passion, tend to the Pastor and Members of Metropoli- DICHIERA FOR HIS LIFETIME OF skill, and dedication to his craft led Gustavo to tan Baptist Church my best wishes on this ADVOCACY AND WORK WITH THE the successes he sees today. auspicious occasion. ARTS Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Gustavo immigrated to the United States with his mother and f HON. DEBBIE DINGELL brothers to join his father in Oakville, Cali- OF fornia in 1957. The family moved to Ruther- CONGRATULATING JOHN T. LEWIS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ford, California in 1960, where Gustavo’s fa- ON HIS RETIREMENT Friday, May 19, 2017 ther Jose´ worked in winery maintenance. Sur- rounded by the culture and devotion of famous Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to winemakers from an early age, Gustavo grew HON. STENY H. HOYER recognize David DiChiera for his outstanding up with a keen interest in winemaking. He at- legacy. As founder and artistic director of the tended the University of Oregon on a baseball OF MARYLAND , Mr. DiChiera has scholarship, but his heart remained in wine built a culture of artistic excellence in Michi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES country. He transferred to the University of gan. California Davis, where he was one of the first After earning a doctorate in musicology from Friday, May 19, 2017 Latinos to obtain a degree in Fermentation UCLA, Mr. DiChiera joined the faculty of Oak- Sciences. land University in Michigan in 1962, where he Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor In 1976, Gustavo joined Mike Grgich and was eventually elected chairman of the John T. Lewis, the Director of Logistics and Jim Barrett at Chateau Montelena to begin his school’s Department of Music. During his time, Support for the Chief Administrative Officer of career. Soon after, he joined Grgich Hills Cel- he also oversaw the Grand Opera As- the U.S. House of Representatives, on his up- lar, where, in his first harvest, he produced the sociation’s education initiative known as the coming retirement on June 2, 2017. winning Chardonnay in the Great Chardonnay Overture to Opera. Under the leadership of Showdown of 1980. Gustavo continued with Beginning on June 1, 1978, John spent his Mr. DiChiera, Overture to Opera began per- Grgich Hills Cellar for 23 years, honing his entire thirty-nine year career with the U.S. forming full-length productions in 1970 and craft and working to define wine excellence. House of Representatives and for over twenty was officially reestablished as the Michigan Gustavo started his own wine enterprise, years worked as an upholsterer. Starting as a Opera Theatre in 1971. The Michigan Opera Gustavo Wines in 1996. Today he makes laborer in the Clerk’s office, John moved up Theatre has grown to become an internation- Napa Valley wines inspired by old-world the ranks to become a master upholsterer. ally recognized institution that has brought winemaking techniques, with a dedication to One of his major accomplishments was learn- world-class performances to Michigan while in- small vineyards and quality fruit. He believes ing how to upholster the special type of Turk- spiring a new generation of artists and musi- each wine should take you back ‘‘to a memory cians. Mr. DiChiera had the vision to push for ish chairs used by Members of Congress. of each vintage’’. the restoration of the in Gustavo traveled to Washington, D.C. this Many of these historic chairs remain in use by 1996, and this effort played a critical role in re- Members to this day. week as part of a group of Mexican-American vitalizing downtown Detroit. The Theatre has vintners to support the mission of the Smithso- John was then asked to take on a manage- hosted renowned musicians like Luciano nian Institution. They shared their amazing rial role, serving as the Supervisor of Workflow Pavarotti, as well as performances by the stories of immigration, sacrifice and determina- Management, which involved developing pur- American Ballet Theater and other notable tion and helped the attendees understand the chasing spreadsheets and building asset groups. vital contributions Mexican Americans make to Mr. DiChiera’s lifetime of artistic advocacy tracking systems. However, after a couple of our economy and community. and passion for theatre has been critical to the years in that position, John returned to the Mr. Speaker, Gustavo Brambila has built a growth and development of the arts in south- successful business and is producing extraor- trade he loved in serving as the manager of east Michigan. His love of the arts has taught dinary wines. I am proud to have such a dedi- the Textiles Department. In that role, John su- and inspired generations to appreciate the im- cated business owner living and working in pervised the day-to-day operations of several portance of the arts to a community. He also our community. It is therefore fitting and prop- shops, including upholstery, cabinet, finishing, galvanized so many to experience the opera er that we honor him here today. drapery, and carpets. and engage with the arts for their entire lives. f Throughout his career, John oversaw sev- Throughout his career, Mr. DiChiera has re- eral important projects including the redressing ceived numerous accolades for his work, in- TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT PAUL cluding the National Endowment for the Arts’ of the Lincoln catafalque, the replacement of VANCE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS Opera Honors award, as well as recognition RETIREMENT the House Floor carpet, the re-upholstery of by the governments of France and Italy. In ad- every seat on the House Floor and in the Gal- dition to this outstanding record of achieve- HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO lery, the complete refinishing of the House ment, Mr. DiChiera is well known in the Detroit OF CONNECTICUT Floor dais, the construction of the lecterns and community for his kindness and generosity. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stenographers’ desk, and the total refurbish- He has been a true champion for Michigan, ment of the Speaker’s chair. John led or as- and his energy and dedication to our state and Friday, May 19, 2017 sisted in twenty Congressional transitions and the arts will be missed as he retires from his Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with re- ten Presidential inaugurations. Among his current position with the Michigan Opera The- spect and admiration that I rise today to join most significant contributions was nurturing atre. all of those gathered in extending my sincere Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me the furnishings team and coaching its mem- thanks and appreciation to Lieutenant Paul in honoring David DiChiera for his lifetime of Vance as he celebrates his retirement after bers to be some of the most talented crafts- work with the arts. Mr. DiChiera’s work with man on Capitol Hill. forty-three years of dedicated service to the the Michigan Opera Theatre has inspired gen- Connecticut State Police force. His retirement In his retirement, I hope John will enjoy time erations of performers and helped the city un- marks the end of a distinguished career in law spent with his wife of thirty-seven years, Lisa, derstand the importance of arts in the commu- enforcement and the Connecticut State Police and his two daughters, Joanna Emily Caputi nity. will simply not be the same without him. and Lauren Elisabeth Lewis, his parents, Bill f Lieutenant Vance entered the Connecticut and Anne Lewis, and other members of his HONORING GUSTAVO BRAMBILA State Police Training Academy as a member extended family. On behalf of the entire of the 85th Training Troop in July of 1974. Fol- House, I extend my congratulations and lowing his graduation later that year, he em- HON. MIKE THOMPSON barked on a career that earned him a re- thanks to John T. Lewis for his many years of OF CALIFORNIA spected reputation amongst colleagues and ci- dedication and outstanding contributions to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES vilians alike. Serving in a variety of posts, in- this institution. I wish him many wonderful Friday, May 19, 2017 cluding Troop L in Litchfield and as a Resident years ahead. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, State Trooper in Prospect, Lieutenant Vance I rise today to honor Gustavo Brambila, who rose through the ranks and is perhaps best

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