WASHINGTON >> Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced 18 recipients for the Fifth Congressional District American Dream Awards on Monday. Three were from Lake County.
The award was granted to immigrants in Thompson’ district who have made “remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, or Community Service.”
“We are a nation of immigrants, of brave men and women who left their lives and everything familiar behind them for the chance to build something better, be part of something greater,” said Thompson. “The dream of our forefathers continues to inspire a new generation today. I’ve met so many immigrants in our district—and all across our nation—who have built amazing businesses, given back to their communities, and enriched the lives of everyone they meet. If I could, I would have honored them all. At the very least, I want to make it clear that our district would not be nearly as vibrant or successful without their contributions. I’d like to thank them all for sharing their stories in their own words, and congratulate them on everything they’ve accomplished.”
The winners from Lake County were Luisa Acosta, Manuel Mendoza, and Dr. Marlene Quilala.
Acosta was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States. She is a community activist and is committed to social justice, particularly for employee rights.
Acosta, the daughter of immigrant farmworkers, spent her childhood in the fields harvesting pears and walnuts and working in a fruit packing facility. Though this work was difficult, her time as a farmworker instilled in her a fierce determination, resilience, and desire to better her community through social justice work.
She has worked as a Lake County Substance Abuse Counselor, a paralegal and a grant writer for United Farmworkers of America, a representative for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local and an internal organizer for National Union of Health Workers.
Acosta is an active participant in local politics and serves on the Lake County Democratic Central Committee. She finds time to direct and instruct various Latino cultural programs, including the Kelseyville Ballet Folklorico and the Lake County Fair Latino Fiesta.
Acosta cites the farmworker activist and leader, Cesar Chavez, as one of her inspirations, and she strives to impact her community as he did — through humility, kindness and fearless leadership.
Mendoza came to the United States in 1968. Prior to retiring, he worked in agriculture picking pears, walnuts, grapes. In 1976, he obtained his Farm Labor Contractor License, was very successful before his retirement in 2013. He likes to fish and plays golf.
Dr. Quilala is a board-certified physician, of 28 years, specializing in Pediatrics. She is the staff pediatrician at the Lake County Tribal Health Pediatrics & Obstetrics Clinic and is affiliated with Sutter Lakeside Hospital. Her previous practice was at Mendocino Health Clinic.
She is a recognized Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She received her medical training at DeLaSalle University in the Philippines in 1989 and completed her internship and residency at the Children’s Medical Center, SUNY, in Brooklyn.
The district has recognized these individuals as today’s job creators, philanthropists, and community leaders. Thompson believes that though the new administration has spoken harshly against immigrants and refugees, they have made District 5 better through “hard work and perseverance.”
