April 13, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E455 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVER- uating from Belmont High School in Los Ange- Veronica ‘‘Ronnie’’ Bradley, a groundbreaking SARY OF JOE’S PLACE PIZZA & les, she attended North Carolina State Univer- Marine Corps veteran. Ronnie, a longtime PASTA sity and Point Loma Nazarene University in resident of New Milford, Connecticut, passed California, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in away on February 25 at the age of 95 after a HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR. French and a Master’s Degree in Pupil Per- long and inspiring life. OF VIRGINIA sonnel Services. As a young woman, Ronnie became one of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Medea fulfilled her lifelong dream of becom- the first women to join the Marine Corps in Friday, April 13, 2018 ing a school teacher when she was hired by 1942 during the Second World War. Following the Glendale Unified School District, where boot camp and training, Ronnie was stationed Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to she worked for a quarter of a century. She at an air base in Santa Barbara, California. honor Joe’s Place Pizza and Pasta, which has taught French and English as a Second Lan- The Marine Corps was one of the last to wel- been proudly serving Arlington and Northern guage (ESL) at Eleanor J. Toll Middle School, come women into service, and Ronnie and her Virginia for 40 years, beginning with its first lo- and then became an ESL Program Specialist compatriots were instrumental in changing the cation in 1978. Joe Farruggio came to the at Eleanor J. Toll Middle School and Woodrow service’s culture to recognize the passion and U.S. from his Sicilian hometown of Agrigento, Wilson Middle School, and was also a Coun- value women brought to the Marines. During Italy in 1970 to pursue the American dream. selor at Glendale High School, where she pa- the war, Ronnie literally became a poster child After opening his first location in Bailey’s tiently and compassionately advised students. of the Marine Corps—her image was used in Crossroads in 1978, the family added addi- She also guided many immigrant students and a recruiting flyer encouraging women to enlist tional locations with ongoing success, finally made a lasting impact in their lives, by instill- and serve. consolidating the locations to Arlington so fam- ing in them the importance of civic involve- After the end of World War II, Ronnie left ily members could remain closely involved and ment and education. the Marines and began her family, but she re- ensure the superior customer service they An avid student advocate and civic leader, mained active in the veteran community proudly provide every day. Ms. Kalognomos has dedicated countless throughout her life. She shared her story and Over time, Joe’s Place has developed a hours to the community, and has served in passion for service with countless others reputation for the best pizza in town, along over sixteen community and academic organi- across Connecticut and our country, and was with a warm, friendly atmosphere and strong zations in the past thirty-five years. Currently, recognized by the Marine Corps as the 2011 support for the community, especially our local she is a member of the Armenian Educational Marine of the Year. schools and nonprofits helping others less for- Foundation, the Armenian National Committee Mr. Speaker, Ronnie Bradley not only volun- tunate. Many of Joe’s staff have been with of America—Western Region Education Com- teered to serve her country during a national them for 10, 20, even 30 years. They and their mittee, and co-president of the Committee for crisis, but also broke the ground for genera- many longtime regular customers truly are like Armenian Students in Public Schools, which is tions of women to follow her in serving as Ma- family. The entire Farruggio family, made up an organization that has been a positive influ- rines. Her passion and humility are examples of Joe and his sons Roberto, Enrico and ence and inspiration to students in public to all of us who pursue public service. My con- Alessandro; his wife Rosa and children schools. Most recently, Medea served as dolences go out to Ronnie’s family and all Rosario and Gabriella; Rosabel and her hus- chairperson of the Committee for Armenian those who will miss her special spirit, and it is band Anthony and daughter Gemma; Students in Public Schools Leadership Work- right that we celebrate her achievements here Calogero and his wife Maria; Rosario, his wife shop, where Glendale Unified School District today and keep her story and memory alive. Patricia and son Alessandro; Marisa and her and Los Angeles Unified School District high f husband Sami and daughter Sofia; Fortunato school juniors with a 3.5 and higher grade and his wife Maria; Franco and his wife Anna point average gathered to learn valuable lead- CRISIS OF OUR NATIONAL DEBT and daughter Isabel; Federica and her hus- ership skills and the importance of volun- band Max and sons Adam and Matteo, and all teering in the community. In addition to her HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN of Joe’s dedicated, hardworking staff are tireless service in the local communities, OF RHODE ISLAND proud of this 40th anniversary milestone and Medea has volunteered at schools, orphan- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES truly grateful for their success, for being part ages and hospitals in Armenia for many years. Friday, April 13, 2018 of the wonderful Arlington community, and for Medea’s extraordinary work has not gone representing one local family’s achievement of unnoticed as she has been recognized with Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, we need to the American Dream. numerous awards, including the Ruby Award address the crisis of our federal debt. We f from the Soroptimist International of the need fiscal responsibility. As Members of Con- TRIBUTE TO MEDEA Verdugos. gress, we are entrusted by the public to be KALOGNOMOS—28TH CONGRES- Ms. Kalognomos has been married to Ser- wise stewards of taxpayer dollars. The deficit SIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF geant Major Alexander Kalognomos for 50 is a long-term threat to our country’s stability, THE YEAR years, and they have two children, Alex and but this proposed amendment is not a realistic Helen. solution to that problem. We need a bipar- I ask all Members to join me in honoring this tisan, adult conversation about the need for HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF both budget cuts and additional revenue to OF CALIFORNIA exceptional, well-respected woman of Califor- bring our country’s finances into balance. This IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nia’s 28th Congressional District, Medea Kalognomos. shouldn’t be rocket science. Friday, April 13, 2018 f A Balanced Budget Amendment would be Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in worthy of consideration if properly crafted to honor of Women’s History Month. Each year, HONORING MS. VERONICA provide flexibility in times of war, recession, or we pay special tribute to the contributions and ‘‘RONNIE’’ BRADLEY national emergency. However, this rigid sacrifices made by our nation’s women. It is amendment fails to anticipate these unfortu- an honor to pay homage to outstanding HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY nate, but inevitable, contingencies. Instead, it women who are making a difference in my OF CONNECTICUT is a cynical attempt to paper over the enor- Congressional District. I would like to recog- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mous cost of the Republican tax bill that dis- nize a remarkable woman, Medea proportionately benefits wealthy and corporate Friday, April 13, 2018 Kalognomos of Sunland, California. interests in the United States. That’s not a so- In 1962, Medea moved to the United States Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I lution for serious investment in our country, from Iran to pursue her education. After grad- rise today to honor the life and service of nor is it a plan for smart growth. ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:31 Apr 14, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K13AP8.001 E13APPT1 E456 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 13, 2018 We need to have responsible discussions to recognize April 2018 as ‘‘National Donate ceived a Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards about how to fund our military, provide support Life Month’’ and support its goals and ideals. nomination for the film ‘‘About Love’’ on do- to Americans in need, and invest in infrastruc- f mestic violence. Other major works include a ture, research, and other ways to improve documentary on the 442 Regimental Combat Americans’ lives. In short, we need to have a TRIBUTE TO PATRICIA ANNE Team, which has been distributed to schools budget that works for its citizens. A balanced KINAGA—28TH CONGRESSIONAL by the History Channel. budget cannot just mean cutting for the sake DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE YEAR Patricia, her husband Peter Wong and their of cutting. Responsible budgeting must include two children, Brandon and Emily live in Pasa- the revenue side as well. HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF dena California. It’s not too much to ask the wealthiest OF CALIFORNIA I ask all Members to join me in honoring an Americans and major corporations to pay their IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES exceptional, well-respected woman of Califor- fair share, to give back to American society Friday, April 13, 2018 nia’s 28th Congressional District, Patricia and help build our country up.