[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10900-S10901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             JOE CENARRUSA

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, integrity. That one word 
encompasses the life of Joe Cenarrusa. Today, family, friends, and the 
people of Idaho bid farewell to a man filled with integrity whose life 
ended tragically on September 9, 1997.
  Joe Cenarrusa, the son of Idaho Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa and 
his wife Freda, was first and foremost a family man. But he was also a 
successful businessman who was very active in his community.
  Joe Cenarrusa was born on the family ranch in Carey, ID. He was Pete 
and Freda Cenarrusa's only son. Joe had a love for flying--a love which 
he inherited from his father who was a Marine fighter pilot during 
World War II. At the age of 4, Joe would sit on his father's lap in the 
cockpit and Pete would let him take over the controls. It was clear 
from that early age that Joe would continue to soar to new heights.
  The day he turned 16, Joe took his first solo flight. He then took 
his FAA check rides for the instrument, commercial, and airline 
transport ratings on the days he became age-eligible for them. Joe 
graduated from the University of Idaho where he was a flight instructor 
and was also active in the skydiving club.
  In 1974, he returned home to take over the ranch. He brought with him 
new ideas and innovative techniques which turned the operation into one 
of the most successful livestock operations in Idaho.
  Joe Cenarrusa never shied away from a challenge. ``You just can't 
take; you also have to give.'' That's how Joe lived his life, always 
finding ways to give back to his community--especially for causes that 
helped children.
  Joe felt every child needed a bicycle. A young child riding a bike 
was only natural, but there were some children in the community whose 
families couldn't afford bikes. So Joe decided to do something about 
that. As the owner of Red Robin Restaurants, Joe would offer deluxe 
hamburgers for anyone who would donate a bicycle. Those bikes would be 
refurbished by a friend, Mike Cooley, and then donated to needy 
children at the start of each school year. ``Burgers For Bicycles'' was 
a program that made Joe happy. It made his friend Mike Cooley happy. 
And it made thousands of schoolchildren happy each fall.
  Joe also had a place in his heart for battered and neglected children 
who ended up at the Hays Shelter Home. He'd bring the children and 
staff from the home down to his restaurant once a week and let them 
order whatever they wanted off the menu--including dessert. What a 
wonderful opportunity and a very visible sign to these neglected 
children that someone in their community cared.
  Joe is remembered as a ``good, decent man, a visionary, a man of 
integrity, a man who loved his family, and a man

[[Page S10901]]

who, in the best tradition of America, gave generously to his 
community.'' He never lost sight of his Basque values. He understood 
the value of hard work, and he learned at an early age the importance 
of honor and integrity.
  The measure of this man is reflected in the mission statement for his 
company which reads, ``We are a company committed to creating 
opportunities for success.'' Joe Cenarrusa's life was committed to 
helping all around him succeed. And for that, each of us who knew Joe 
have lived a richer life. My prayers are with his parents Pete and 
Freda, his wife Jean, and their two sons, Andy and Tyler.

                          ____________________