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Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Riitta DeAnda, a leader and public servant who has been named California's 4th Congressional District 2025 American Dream Award Recipient for Solano County. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in our district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service.

Mrs. DeAnda was born in Turku, Finland, and immigrated with her parents to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where they became Canadian citizens. Eight years later, they moved to Richmond, California, fulfilling her father's long-standing goal of settling in the United States. Mrs. DeAnda became a U.S. citizen at age 22.

Mrs. DeAnda worked for a large commercial insurance company in San Francisco for many years, after which she founded an insurance agency in Vallejo and later moved its office location to American Canyon. She became involved in the communities where her office was located by joining the local Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. DeAnda feels it is important to make a difference in the communities in which you work and live. In 2018, she sold the insurance agency but has not slowed down.

Around the district, Mrs. DeAnda is known for her enthusiasm and dedication to various organizations, many of which she has been involved with for years. Currently, Mrs. DeAnda serves as the Chair of the Napa-Solano Area Council on Aging, the Treasurer of Sierra Club Solano, and the Secretary of the Northern Solano Democratic Club. Additionally, she was a Board Member of Travis Unified School District and served as its President from 2020-2021. Mrs. DeAnda actively engages with our community as she serves as a Committee Member of Walk to End Alzheimer's Solano, leadership of Solano Together, and a Board Member of the Finnish American Home Association (FAHA). She is involved in organizations that reflect her personal experiences and values, allowing her to advocate for causes that resonate with her identity and represent the needs and perspectives of her community.

Mrs. DeAnda also aids our district by helping community members. Licensed by the IRS, Mrs. DeAnda has been able to help our community members prepare their tax return documents. Additionally, Mrs. DeAnda has helped produce a monthly newsletter for Councilmember Jeannette Wylie, has become a Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy counselor, and has helped distribute quilts to those in need through Lutheran World Relief. Her dedication to philanthropy and helping others is admirable and has a positive impact on our community.

Mrs. DeAnda is a powerful embodiment of civic engagement, where she has exercised her rights and voted in every election since she became a citizen. It is a right she is proud to have and even spurred her to join the Northern Solano Democratic Club, later becoming the organization's Secretary, and has phone-banked during numerous election cycles, motivating others to become civically involved.

Mrs. DeAnda earned her master's degree from San Francisco State University. She was married to the late James DeAnda and is the proud mother of their daughter, Kristina, who resides in Denver, Colorado, and their son, James, who lives in Vacaville with his wife and their five children.

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Riitta DeAnda for her service, leadership, and dedication to California's 4th District.

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