Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susie Snedden upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Snedden will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010.

Mrs. Susie Snedden grew up on the family farm in Maricopa, California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelors Degree in political science. While in school, she interned for then-Congressman William Ketchum in his Washington, DC, office, the Republican State Central Committee and was the first intern for the California Cattleman's Association in Sacramento. As a young adult she returned to the family cow-calf operation that she now co-owns with her husband, Richard.

Mrs. Snedden is very active in the Kern County community. She has served as president and director for the Kern County CattleWomen and as a state director for the Kern County Cattlemen's Association. She and her husband served as state membership co-chairs for R-CALF, USA, a national cattle producer's organization. Mrs. Snedden operates an educational booth at, and assists with, the annual Farm Day in the City, has been involved at Maricopa School on the School Site Council and School Bond Committee. She often gives presentations about beef, its by-products and the cattle ranching business to classrooms and organizations.

Mr. and Mrs. Snedden have hosted visitors from around the world, providing them with a taste of ranch life. Mrs. Snedden is active member of her church, where she has led mission trips to Mexico, and has opened her home to Vacation Bible Schools and women's retreats. For her efforts, Mrs. Snedden was named ``Kern County Cattle Princess'' in 1972 and ``Kern County CattleWoman of the Year'' in 2001.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susie Snedden upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Snedden many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Justice Steven Vartabedian upon his retirement from the California Fifth District Court of Appeal. After serving for twenty-nine years as a judge, Justice Vartabedian will officially retire on May 31, 2010.

Justice Steven Vartabedian is a native of the San Joaquin Valley. He attended, and graduated with honors, from California State University, Fresno in 1972. Upon graduation he studied at Santa Clara University, School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1975. He passed both the state and federal bar in 1975. Early in his career, Justice Vartabedian returned to the Valley to practice family law and real estate litigation with, now former State Senator, and current justice on the Fifth District Court, Charles Poochigian.

Justice Vartabedian began serving on the Sanger Justice Court in 1981 and moved to the Fresno Municipal Court in 1983, where he served for four years, two of which he was a presiding judge. He joined the Fresno County Superior Court in 1987, serving as presiding criminal judge. In September 1989, Justice Vartabedian was appointed as an associate justice of the Court of Appeal by Governor George Deukmejian. While serving on the state judiciary, he participated on the planning committee of the Appellate Justice Institute and on a committee studying weighted caseloads. Justice Vartabedian's most recent participation was with the Appellate Court Legacy Project Committee. He has authored articles on the topics of sentencing, court delays and sex abuse cases, all of which have been published in the Pacific Law Journal and the Judges' Journal.

While busy with his practice and serving with the various courts, Justice Vartabedian found time to teach. He taught business law at California State University, Fresno from 1976 to 1981. In 1992 he was a symposium speaker and panelist at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, for the ``Victims Rights in California'' program. In 1995, Justice Vartabedian moderated a state bar program entitled ``To Appeal or Not to Appeal,'' and has lectured on the subject of the appellate process to county bar associations and community groups on numerous occasions.

Justice Vartabedian and his wife, Marilyn, have three adult daughters, all engaged in careers in law. The family is active in symphonic activities, as his daughters are all musicians. He has served in the community as a past founding member of the local board of directors of World Impact, an organization that focuses on inner-city youth ministry. He is a former trustee of the Armenian Community School of Fresno and is an elder and bass soloist in his church. For his service, Justice Vartabedian received Sanger Unified School District's Outstanding Contribution to Education Award in 1982 and the Armenian Community School Outstanding Service Award in 2004.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Justice Steven Vartabedian upon his retirement from the Fifth District Court of Appeal. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Justice Vartabedian many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Justice Steven Vartabedian upon his retirement from the California Fifth District Court of Appeal. After serving for twenty-nine years as a judge, Justice Vartabedian will officially retire on May 31, 2010.

Justice Steven Vartabedian is a native of the San Joaquin Valley. He attended, and graduated with honors, from California State University, Fresno in 1972. Upon graduation he studied at Santa Clara University, School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1975. He passed both the state and federal bar in 1975. Early in his career, Justice Vartabedian returned to the Valley to practice family law and real estate litigation with, now former State Senator, and current justice on the Fifth District Court, Charles Poochigian.

Justice Vartabedian began serving on the Sanger Justice Court in 1981 and moved to the Fresno Municipal Court in 1983, where he served for four years, two of which he was a presiding judge. He joined the Fresno County Superior Court in 1987, serving as presiding criminal judge. In September 1989, Justice Vartabedian was appointed as an associate justice of the Court of Appeal by Governor George Deukmejian. While serving on the state judiciary, he participated on the planning committee of the Appellate Justice Institute and on a committee studying weighted caseloads. Justice Vartabedian's most recent participation was with the Appellate Court Legacy Project Committee. He has authored articles on the topics of sentencing, court delays and sex abuse cases, all of which have been published in the Pacific Law Journal and the Judges' Journal.

While busy with his practice and serving with the various courts, Justice Vartabedian found time to teach. He taught business law at California State University, Fresno from 1976 to 1981. In 1992 he was a symposium speaker and panelist at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, for the ``Victims Rights in California'' program. In 1995, Justice Vartabedian moderated a state bar program entitled ``To Appeal or Not to Appeal,'' and has lectured on the subject of the appellate process to county bar associations and community groups on numerous occasions.

Justice Vartabedian and his wife, Marilyn, have three adult daughters, all engaged in careers in law. The family is active in symphonic activities, as his daughters are all musicians. He has served in the community as a past founding member of the local board of directors of World Impact, an organization that focuses on inner-city youth ministry. He is a former trustee of the Armenian Community School of Fresno and is an elder and bass soloist in his church. For his service, Justice Vartabedian received Sanger Unified School District's Outstanding Contribution to Education Award in 1982 and the Armenian Community School Outstanding Service Award in 2004.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Justice Steven Vartabedian upon his retirement from the Fifth District Court of Appeal. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Justice Vartabedian many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate all of the 2010 Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degree recipients through the Nisei Diploma Project. All honorees will be recognized on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at a special awards ceremony to be held at California State University, Fresno.

During World War II, an estimated two hundred and fifty Japanese- American and Japanese immigrant students from California State University, CSU, campuses across the state had their education abruptly interrupted when Executive Order 9066 was executed in 1942. These students were forcefully removed from the west coast and incarcerated for the duration of the war. Once released many of these former students went to work and did not return to school.

On September 23, 2009 the California State University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to award Special Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degrees to the CSU students that were affected by the Executive Order, known as the Nisei Diploma Project. Through the passage of this project, CSU strives to heal the wounds of the Japanese-Americans living in California during World War II. By identifying the former students enrolled in the CSU system when the order was initially passed, they will honor the academic intentions of the Japanese- American students enrolled at the time by presenting an honorary degree to the former students or their families and welcoming the former students back to the campus.

California State University, Fresno has determined that there are eighty-seven eligible students through the Nisei Diploma Project. Today, they are honoring all eighty-seven students and presenting a Special Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degree to nineteen of those students.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the 2010 Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degree recipients through the Nisei Diploma Project. I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating all of the honorees.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate all of the 2010 Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degree recipients through the Nisei Diploma Project. All honorees will be recognized on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at a special awards ceremony to be held at California State University, Fresno.

During World War II, an estimated two hundred and fifty Japanese- American and Japanese immigrant students from California State University, CSU, campuses across the state had their education abruptly interrupted when Executive Order 9066 was executed in 1942. These students were forcefully removed from the west coast and incarcerated for the duration of the war. Once released many of these former students went to work and did not return to school.

On September 23, 2009 the California State University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to award Special Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degrees to the CSU students that were affected by the Executive Order, known as the Nisei Diploma Project. Through the passage of this project, CSU strives to heal the wounds of the Japanese-Americans living in California during World War II. By identifying the former students enrolled in the CSU system when the order was initially passed, they will honor the academic intentions of the Japanese- American students enrolled at the time by presenting an honorary degree to the former students or their families and welcoming the former students back to the campus.

California State University, Fresno has determined that there are eighty-seven eligible students through the Nisei Diploma Project. Today, they are honoring all eighty-seven students and presenting a Special Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degree to nineteen of those students.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the 2010 Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degree recipients through the Nisei Diploma Project. I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating all of the honorees.

Madam Speaker, my colleague from California, Mr. Costa, and I rise today to commend and congratulate the Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation upon the groundbreaking ceremony of the Veterans Home of California in Fresno. The ceremony is to be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at the future site of the home and is a true testament of the hard work and dedication of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation.

Having a home dedicated to serving the needs of the veterans in the San Joaquin Valley has been a long time goal of the Central

California Veterans Home Foundation, CCVHF. This goal became achievable when the Millennial Healthcare Act of 2000 through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, USDVA, was placed into effect, changing the way projects were evaluated for State Home Grant funding. Under the new rules, new Veterans Homes receiving grant funds would have to be located near veteran population centers; California has been listed by the USDVA as one of two states in ``great need'' for additional Veterans Homes, and Fresno is a region with a large veteran population and healthcare hub.

In response to the federal recognition, the state legislature and then California Governor Gray Davis, responded by passing the Veterans Home Bond Act of 2000 and Assembly Bill 1077 of 2004. This state legislation made funds available to develop and construct new Veterans Homes in Lancaster, Ventura, West Los Angeles, Fresno and Redding, and met the matching requirements of the federal funding.

CCVHF was formed and conversations were held with the California Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as local elected officials, to insure the Fresno project would happen. In 2003, funding was cut short due to budget issues within the state. The board members of the foundation took many trips to Sacramento to fight for the funding they were initially promised. After a six-year struggle, the state and federal government signed off on construction of the new Veterans Home in southwest Fresno. The twenty-seven acre site in West Fresno will be the site of a three-hundred bed facility for veterans, offering complete medical and dental care amidst the amenities of a small town atmosphere. CCVHF envisions a home where residents can participate in on and off campus activities, civic affairs and attend veteran service organization meetings. Residents will also have the option of participating in the Therapeutic Employment Program, visiting the on- site libraries, or attending events such as dances, social gatherings, special programs, arts and crafts, as well as staying active while gardening or swimming. The goal of the facility and CCVHF is to enable residents to achieve their highest quality of life in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Costa and I rise today to commend and congratulate all of the organizations and individuals that have made the groundbreaking of the Veterans Home of California in Fresno possible. I invite my colleagues to join us in wishing the home and future residents great success.

Madam Speaker, my colleague from California, Mr. Costa, and I rise today to commend and congratulate the Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation upon the groundbreaking ceremony of the Veterans Home of California in Fresno. The ceremony is to be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at the future site of the home and is a true testament of the hard work and dedication of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation.

Having a home dedicated to serving the needs of the veterans in the San Joaquin Valley has been a long time goal of the Central

California Veterans Home Foundation, CCVHF. This goal became achievable when the Millennial Healthcare Act of 2000 through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, USDVA, was placed into effect, changing the way projects were evaluated for State Home Grant funding. Under the new rules, new Veterans Homes receiving grant funds would have to be located near veteran population centers; California has been listed by the USDVA as one of two states in ``great need'' for additional Veterans Homes, and Fresno is a region with a large veteran population and healthcare hub.

In response to the federal recognition, the state legislature and then California Governor Gray Davis, responded by passing the Veterans Home Bond Act of 2000 and Assembly Bill 1077 of 2004. This state legislation made funds available to develop and construct new Veterans Homes in Lancaster, Ventura, West Los Angeles, Fresno and Redding, and met the matching requirements of the federal funding.

CCVHF was formed and conversations were held with the California Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as local elected officials, to insure the Fresno project would happen. In 2003, funding was cut short due to budget issues within the state. The board members of the foundation took many trips to Sacramento to fight for the funding they were initially promised. After a six-year struggle, the state and federal government signed off on construction of the new Veterans Home in southwest Fresno. The twenty-seven acre site in West Fresno will be the site of a three-hundred bed facility for veterans, offering complete medical and dental care amidst the amenities of a small town atmosphere. CCVHF envisions a home where residents can participate in on and off campus activities, civic affairs and attend veteran service organization meetings. Residents will also have the option of participating in the Therapeutic Employment Program, visiting the on- site libraries, or attending events such as dances, social gatherings, special programs, arts and crafts, as well as staying active while gardening or swimming. The goal of the facility and CCVHF is to enable residents to achieve their highest quality of life in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Costa and I rise today to commend and congratulate all of the organizations and individuals that have made the groundbreaking of the Veterans Home of California in Fresno possible. I invite my colleagues to join us in wishing the home and future residents great success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life of Roy Isom. Mr. Isom passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2010, at the age of seventy-two.

Mr. Roy Isom was born in 1937. He grew up in Kingsburg, California. Shortly after graduating from high school, Mr. Isom joined the United States Air Force and served in Korea. Upon fulfilling his duties with the military, he returned to Central California and started his career in broadcasting.

After forty years of working for radio and television broadcasts, Mr. Isom has become known as the ``voice of agriculture'' in the San Joaquin Valley. After working many years in television news, Mr. Isom went to work as the news director and farm news editor for KMJ Radio, a local news talk channel, in 1981. He produced a daily hour-long morning agriculture news show, reporting on the concerns and activities of farming and agribusiness. The daily news segment provided a forum for educating farmers and non-farmers about the important role agriculture plays in the San Joaquin Valley. He was a friend to the Fresno County Farm Bureau and interviewed many of the officers, members and staff. Mr. Isom was a true advocate for farmers and agriculture.

Mr. Isom was a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters and was active in the Sanger Masonic Lodge and community. He was regularly recognized for his work. In 1994, he was named ``Agricultural Reporter of the Year'' by the California Farm Bureau Federation and in 2005 he received the ``Heavy Puller Award'' from the Fresno County Farm Bureau.

Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Roy Isom and wishing the best for his family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Marilyn Oller for her dedicated service to her family and community. Mrs. Oller passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2010 surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Marilyn Oller was born on October 26, 1939 to Ronald and Lois. She grew up in Palo Alto, California where she attended Notre Dame High School. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of California, Davis. While in college she met her future husband, Ben Oller.

As a young woman, Mrs. Oller was a teacher and then became a domestic engineer. She was the owner of a dress store, ``Sweet Pea'', and later built homes in Madera, California. Over the years, Mrs. Oller was involved with countless community organizations including the Red Cross, Les Amis Guild, House of Hope, Evangel Home and the Amici Del Poverello Guild. She was instrumental in starting the Brunch for Elvis fundraiser for the Poverello House in Fresno, California. She was dedicated to helping those in need. Mrs. Oller also volunteered during my initial campaign and continued to volunteer, on a weekly basis, in my district office answering phones and keeping the staff up-to-date on the most recent celebrity news and movie reviews.

Mrs. Oller had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. She was always the life of the party and was known for her many escapades. She loved entertainment news and gossip; she attended countless concerts, plays and weekly movies. Mrs. Oller was most known for her love and dedication to her family. She and her husband created a nurturing and loving home for their two children, and in her later years she found tremendous joy in her role as a grandmother to her three grandchildren.

Mrs. Oller is survived by her husband of forty-nine years; her daughter, Lisa and her husband Jay; her son, Marty and his wife Dianne; her sisters-in-law, Darlene and Shelly; her brother-in-law, Chuck; her grandchildren, Dyllan, Benjamin, and Mallory; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Marilyn Oller. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring her life and wishing the best for her family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dieter Heinz Dubberke upon being awarded with the Americanism Medal from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Dubberke will be recognized and honored by the Merced River Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on Saturday, April 24, 2010.

Mr. Dieter Dubberke grew up in Natzlaff, Germany in the late 1930s. As a young child, his mother and brother moved around Germany, attempting to flee from the Russians as they swept through parts of Germany. The three were finally able to reach Reinbek, a city in the Western Sector, where they were reunited with his maternal grandmother. At the age of 13, Mr. Dubberke's mother passed away, leaving him and his brother to care for their elderly grandmother. It was decided that the brothers would travel to the United States, where they would be adopted by their uncle Max Dubberke.

Arriving in the United States, Mr. Dubberke settled in with his uncle and attended high school in Culver City, California. Upon graduating from high school, he joined the United States Army. He served in the Army for 3 years, and then returned to California to marry his high school sweetheart, Diane, and began working for the Safeway Corporation.

Mr. Dubberke eventually moved to Mariposa, California. With his strong entrepreneurial spirit and grocery experience, he opened a small mini-mart. Later, he established Pioneer Market in Mariposa, and Dubberke and Dubberke Investments. Today, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of Dubberke and Dubberke Investments, which has five entities and eighty employees.

Mr. Dubberke is an instrumental part of the Mariposa community. He values and displays hard work, common sense, determination, honor and integrity. He is a champion of small business owners' rights and in his own business he hires local people, especially high school students, and provides generous benefits to his employees. Mr. Dubberke sponsors the annual Grizzly Family Hoedown, an event that has raised more than $20,000 in funds for transportation to non-league athletic events. He also sponsors the annual Mariposa High School Golf Tournament, in support of the

school's athletic programs. He initiated the Sports Challenge program, whereby he contributes one percent of collected receipts to school sports and exercise programs to Mariposa Elementary School. Mr. Dubberke often supplies ice to booths, concessions and exhibitors during the annual Mariposa County Fair, Homecoming and other community events.

Mr. Dubberke has held numerous leadership positions. He was appointed by the Governor to the Mariposa County Fair, Board of Directors. He has also served on the Mariposa County Water Agency Advisory Board and is past president of the Sierra Edelweiss German Club. For his tremendous service to his community, Mr. Dubberke has been honored with the Western Fairs Association's Blue Ribbon Award, Central California Excellence in Business Award in 2005, California Outstanding Retailer of the Month and was named Businessman of the Year in 2000 by the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce.

The Americanism Medal is awarded to a person that has demonstrated extraordinary qualities of leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism. Mr. Dubberke has certainly met those qualifications; he understands the responsibility as an American citizen to respect the flag, teach others to support our Constitution, participate in government and to give back to our country. Mr. Dubberke recently published a book, ``Three Times Blessed,'' in which he teaches valuable lessons on what it takes to find true happiness and success.

Mr. Dubberke and his wife have been married for over 50 years; they have four children and eight grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dieter Dubberke upon being honored with the Americanism Medal. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Dubberke many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Exceptional Parents Unlimited upon the celebration of the 20th anniversary of their annual fundraiser ``Fiesta! A Celebration of Children.'' The annual event will be held at the Clovis Memorial Building on Friday, May 7, 2010.

Exceptional Parents Unlimited, EPU, was founded in 1976, as a support group for the parents of children with Down's syndrome. The name Exceptional Parents Unlimited was chosen because EPU was designed to provide services to children with all different special needs. Since it was established, EPU has developed a wide range of programs and services in response to the expressed needs of the families in the community. EPU has become a national leader in providing and promoting comprehensive, family-centered services through five major programs including early intervention, family support, supporting the development of the parent-child relationship, providing parent education and training, as well as assisting in preventing child abuse. EPU has also created a successful Family Resource Center, providing training and support to families through the Parent Training and Information Center Grant and the Family Empowerment Center Grant.

Currently, EPU provides direct services to more than three thousand families. They provide services in English, Spanish and Hmong, reflecting the most common languages spoken in the Fresno area. The services provided by EPU include home visits as well as locations in urban and rural centers. The EPU staff has grown to one hundred employees including experienced management personnel, a Chief Financial Officer, a Human Resource Director, a Development Director, a Director of Evaluation and Data and five program managers.

EPU has been recognized by many organizations over the years. In 1998 EPU was honored with the Daily Points of Light Award by the Points of Light Foundation, a foundation that honors individuals and volunteer groups with a commitment to connect Americans through service to meet critical needs in their communities. In 2003, EPU was honored with the Central Valley Excellence in Business Award by The Fresno Bee, the Fresno Economic Development Corporation and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Exceptional Parents Unlimited. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing EPU many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the California Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International upon their 74th anniversary. The organization will be holding its annual convention at the Fresno Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Fresno, California from Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2, 2010. This is the first time that the annual meeting has been held in Fresno.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was established in 1929, with the desire to promote professional and personal growth in women educators and excellence in education. Chi State is the State Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and was established in 1936. The organization is involved in literacy and philanthropy projects throughout the state. The membership is made up of active administrators, teachers from kindergarten through college and retirees who continue to substitute or volunteer in classrooms and community centers. Today, there are over six thousand members in California and one hundred and forty thousand members from sixteen countries. Many individual members are also members of other district-level, state and national education organizations.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International offers financial aid to outstanding educational and community projects; as well as women students outside of the United States and Canada pursuing professional careers. The goal of the organization is to provide guidance and inspiration to women educators helping them to excel in their professional careers. They have a strong mentorship program and provide mutual support and interaction in all educational fields and at all levels.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the California Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International on their success in assisting women educators from around the world. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the organization many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas Crow upon his retirement as the Chancellor of State Center Community College District (SCCCD). After serving over 20 years with the college district, Dr. Crow will be honored by the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors on Friday, May 7, 2010.

Dr. Thomas Crow earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in Physical Education from California State University, Fresno. Later, he attended Arizona State University, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education. Dr. Crow has a long history in education which includes a broad spectrum of experience in kindergarten through twelfth grade; including his service as Superintendent of Fowler Unified School District.

Prior to his appointment as Chancellor, Dr. Crow served as President of Reedley College for 7 years. While with SCCCD he also served as Vice Chancellor, External Operations and Assistant to the Chancellor.

Outside of SCCCD, Dr. Crow is active in the community. He is the past president of the Reedley Rotary Club. He is also an active member of the Fresno Business Council, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, The Regional Jobs Initiative, Fresno Compact and the Workforce Investment Board.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Thomas Crow upon his retirement from the State Center Community College District. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Crow many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate David Ashleigh upon the dedication of the Modesto Junior College Swimming Center to be named in his honor. The dedication and naming ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010, at the Dave Ashleigh Aquatic Center.

Mr. David Ashleigh attended Whittier High School in southern California, where he participated in water polo from 1957 through 1961. During his high school water polo career the team won the California Interscholastic Federation, CIF, championship in 1957, 1958 and 1959. In 1960, he was selected for the Helm's Hall of Fame second team (equivalent to the High School All-American teams today). During his senior year, Whittier High School took second place in CIF. He served as the team captain, was the leading scorer, named Most Valuable Player and was selected for the Helm's Hall of Fame first team. Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Ashleigh attended Cerritos Junior College.

While attending Cerritos Junior College, Mr. Ashleigh participated on both the water polo and swim teams. He was named team captain of the water polo team and the swim team both years he participated. He was the leading scorer and was awarded Most Valuable Player of the water polo team both years. Mr. Ashleigh was named the Junior College All- American Player of the Year in 1962 and 1963. On the swim team he participated in the 100 and 200 breaststroke as well as the 200 and 400 individual medleys. He set school records in all four events and set junior college national records in the 200 breaststroke and the 400 individual medley. In 1963 Mr. Ashleigh was voted the Cerritos College Athlete of the Year.

In 1963 Mr. Ashleigh played water polo and participated on the swim team while attending the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA. During his first season he was the leading scorer, named Most Valuable Player and was selected as a first team All-American. Mr. Ashleigh red- shifted the 1964 season so that he was able to be a member of the USA Olympic water polo team in Tokyo, Japan. For the U.S. team he played the defensive hole guard and played every minute of every game from the preliminary through the final games. The team placed ninth.

Returning to the UCLA team in 1965, Mr. Ashleigh was named team captain and led the team to be the first undefeated sports team in UCLA history. He was named Most Valuable Player and was selected as a first team All-American. Mr. Ashleigh also swam in 1964 and 1965 for UCLA, where he became the first All-American at UCLA in swimming and was the first swimmer in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, history to flip-turn all turns in the 1650 meter freestyle. Mr. Ashleigh set UCLA school records in the 1650 and 500 freestyle, the 200 breaststroke and the 400 individual medley.

Mr. Ashleigh was a member of the 1964 through 1968 U.S. National Water Polo team and was the 1968 U.S. Olympic water polo team co- captain. In 1967 he was the team captain of the Pan-American Team, which was the first U.S. team to win gold in International Competition outside of the United States. For his amazing accomplishments, Mr. Ashleigh was awarded the James Lee Award for the Most Outstanding Player at U.S. Nationals in 1965 and from 1963 through 1968 was named All-American in U.S. water polo, AAU.

In 1968 Mr. Ashleigh began coaching water polo and swimming at Modesto Swim and Racquet Club in Modesto, California. During the 3 years that he coached there, he had an overall record of 235 wins and only 43 losses. He coached the boys 14 and under 1971 Junior Olympics National Champion water polo team. Later he coached the boys 12 and under and boys 14 and under swim teams that set national records in the 200 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay.

Mr. Ashleigh began coaching swimming and water polo at Modesto Junior College in 1971. In his 27-year career at the college he compiled an overall record of 827 wins and 272 losses. He had 51 winning seasons out of 54 total seasons and has 27 Conference Championships, between the two sports. Under his direction, the water polo team has an overall record of 487-178. Eighteen of his water polo teams made it to the California State Championship Tournament, 81 athletes were selected as All-Americans, 13 conference championships and 5 NorCal championships. From 1984 to 1990 his swim team was 73-0 in dual meets; from 1977 to 1992 the team was 158-11-1 in dual meets. He coached 78 All-American swimmers. The swim team won 14 conference championships and 4 state championships.

In 1991, Mr. Ashleigh began participating in Masters water polo. He played on various teams and won three world championships and placed second three times. While playing Masters, he had the opportunity to play water polo in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Great Britain, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and India. He was inducted into the California Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in two divisions (coach and player) and was named the 2008 S.O.S. Athlete of the Year. In 1978, Mr. Ashleigh was elected into the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame and will be inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate David Ashleigh upon his many achievements being honored at the new Dave Ashleigh Aquatic Center. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Ashleigh congratulations on his many accomplishments and many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bob Reyes upon his retirement as the Principal of Fresno High School. After almost 40 years in education, Mr. Reyes will retire in June 2010.

Mr. Reyes spent the first 26 years of his career with the Kerman Unified School District. He served as a classroom teacher for 13 years and then moved into the administration office as an assistant principal at Kerman High School. After 8 years he was promoted to principal and spent 5 years leading Kerman High School.

Mr. Reyes was hired as the principal of Fresno High School in 1997. Over the past 13 years, Mr. Reyes has provided tremendous leadership to the school. The school's academic performance index scores have grown 149 points since 1999, and there has been a significant improvement in the test scores for the California Standardized Test in more recent years. In 2002 Mr. Reyes implemented the International Baccalaureate, IB, Program at Fresno High School, a program that prepares students to be independent learners with a focus on higher education. The program is accredited and graduates are looked upon highly by colleges and universities around the world. The IB Program has grown from the original ``Great 8'' in 2002 to a current enrollment of over 500 students.

Mr. Reyes recently started the Parent Institute for Quality Education to encourage more parental involvement. Over 200 parents have graduated from the program this year, which is the highest number in the San Joaquin Valley. Beyond the school, Mr. Reyes is active within the community, working to improve community relations by closely working with the Historic Fresno High Neighborhood Association.

Through his years of dedicated service, Mr. Reyes has received many awards from numerous organizations, including the ``Heart of

the City'' by the Fresno First Baptist Church three times, ``Diversity in Education Award'' by the Association of California School Administrators, ``Community Service Recognition Award'' by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, and was named ``Administrator of the Year'' by the Association of Mexican American Educators. Mr. Reyes has also served as a board member for the Community Food Bank in Fresno. The Fresno County Board of Supervisors honored Mr. Reyes in January when they named January 26, 2010 as ``Principal Bob Reyes Day'' in Fresno County. After his years of commitment and service to the students, staff and surrounding community, an anonymous donor to Fresno High School honored Mr. Reyes by establishing an annual award given to a student at the school in his honor called ``The Bob Reyes Leadership Award.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Principal Bob Reyes upon his retirement from Fresno High School. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Reyes many years of continued success.