[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E568-E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    TRIBUTE TO DUMONT PRINTING, HARRIS RANCH INN, WESTAMERICA BANK, 
   EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, THE CLOVIS INDEPENDENT, DAVID AND SONS, 
GIANNINI PACKAGING CORPORATION, PRODUCERS DAIRY, COSTCO WHOLESALE, AND 
                      THE CLAUDE LAVAL CORPORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dumont 
Printing of Fresno, Harris Ranch Inn of Coalinga, WestAmerica Bank-
Sanger Branch, Evangelical Free Church of Fresno, The Clovis 
Independent of Clovis, David & Sons of Fresno, Giannini Packaging 
Corporation of Dinuba, Producers Dairy of Fresno, Costco Wholesale of 
Clovis, and Claude Laval Corporation of Fresno for being honored by the 
Fresno Compact for their dedication to helping students prepare for the 
increasing demands of society and the work place.
  The Fresno Compact is a coalition of community leaders and the area's 
public schools, committed to a long-term effort to improve achievement 
levels and skills of young people who leave our schools. Formation of 
the Compact was initiated in 1990 by businesses and the Fresno Chamber 
of Commerce, who's members were concerned about the difficulty of 
finding young workers equipped to succeed in entry level jobs. The 
members were also concerned about the problems young people have in 
supporting a family, finding satisfactory work and contributing 
positively to the economy. Schools and the community leaders then 
joined businesses in organizing the compact. The compact is now 
involved in coordinating various initiatives by its members, including 
business participation with the schools. The mission of the Compact is 
to focus community-wide efforts on preparing students for the 
increasing demands of society and the workplace.
  This year the Compact has honored ten businesses in Fresno County 
that have been nominated by the schools for their outstanding 
contributions to classroom learning. These businesses have contributed 
everything from time and money to human resources and expertise. Some 
of the businesses are quite large and some are quite small, but each 
one shares a common goal--to get involved in Fresno County's education 
system! In every case, the result is a lasting partnership that has 
touched the lives of kids.
  Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant was nominated by Coalinga High School 
and Middle School. Harris Ranch personnel have taught Coalinga High 
School students about economics and marketing. Students have 
participated in mock interviews with Harris Ranch employees to help 
prepare them for the world of work. Each year during celebrations and 
fund raising events, Harris Ranch provides students and parent 
organizations with necessary supplies and materials. Harris Ranch also 
creates a positive learning climate in the schools by providing a 
monthly recognition dinner for employees.

  The Giannini packaging corporation of Dinuba, in conjunction with the 
Trembley family foundation has invested in the area of technology in 
the Clay Joint Elementary School District. The offices of the 
foundation, Leroy Giannini Jr., and Jim Burnett has invested over 
$150,000 in equipment and materials. In 1993, they began installing 27' 
TVS, VCRs, cable boxes, personal computers, and printers in each 
classroom, including the Library. The TVS are networked together 
enabling instructional TV programming and distance learning.
  The WestAmerica Bank of Sanger has been one of the primary catalysts 
for the successful career preparation program anchored at Sanger High 
School. WestAmerica employees have been active members of the advisory 
committee for the Sanger High School Business Department for the past 
seven years. As a part of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce Employment 
Competency Program, WestAmerica Bank has been a key business partner. 
Manager Donna Silva has devoted one to two days a month for 
instruction, student assessment, and curriculum development focusing on 
employment competency skills needed for entry-level success in the 
workplace.
  Evangelical Free church in Fresno offers yet another unique 
partnership that links people from throughout the community to Ernie 
Pyle Elementary School. Each Year, individuals from the church 
congregation volunteer to read with first and second graders. This 
happens as often as three times a week. The Ernie Pyle staff believes 
children have become much more confident and it has shown in their 
reading ability.
  Dumont Printing Company has been an active partner with Fresno's 
oldest high school, Fresno High School, since 1994. The owners, Larry 
and Susan Early, provide visible support for the highly successful 
marketing academy. As a direct result of the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. 
Early, students as well as teachers have received complimentary tickets 
to cultural events including ballets, symphonies, and local museums. 
Dumont assists with curriculum development, field trips, mentors and 
guest speakers.
  The dedicated professionals from the Clovis Independent have 
personally dedicated their

[[Page E569]]

time and talents to making this vision a reality. Each week, a guest 
reader volunteers one hour a day to read stories to the primary 
students. Classroom presentations have also been a strong contribution 
by the independent. Writers and advertisers provide ``hands on'' 
newspaper activities illustrating their job responsibilities at the 
Independent. Students are taught to see the correlation between 
mathematical application and advertising sizing and pricing. The Clovis 
Independent promotes student recognition by printing students of the 
month, honor students, those receiving special awards, and special 
interest stories.
  The David & Sons-Viking Elementary School partnership is another 
excellent example of the impact individual employees have on students. 
Employees participate in field trips, student of the month activities, 
classroom tutoring and a number of other activities that result in one-
on-one contact with kids. As a business, David & Sons is also an 
important player in the Viking Pen Pal Program. The kids love the 
letters they receive from the employees. In addition to extensive 
involvement from employees, David & Sons also contributes financially 
to after school activities that touch the families as well as the 
children.

  Ericson Elementary School of Fresno is in its second year of an 
exciting partnership with the Claude Laval Corporation. The primary 
goal of the partnership is to expose children to an array of career 
possibilities. Division heads from the Claude Laval Corporation do 
classroom presentations which often include hands on demonstrations. 
These department heads talk to kids not only about the intricacies of 
the industry but about the importance of work ethics, goal setting, and 
life long learning. perhaps the most innovative aspect of this process 
is the interview/resume process. Each student who completes the packet 
goes to a mock interview, and as a culminating activity, four students 
are selected to attend a Claude Laval Leadership Training Program which 
includes a factory tour and lunch with Claude Laval executives. At the 
end of the year, classrooms prepare presentations on topics such as 
marketing, finance and manufacturing and present them to the executive 
team at Claude Laval.
  In Clovis, Tarpey Elementary School and Costco have cultivated a 
partnership that families, as well as students have benefited from. 
Costco has donated back packs and school supplies to over 1,000 
students. Needy families have been the recipients of food and clothing. 
The annual Tarpey BBQ and carnival has become one the community 
highlights as a result of Costco's generous donation of food and 
supplies.
  The final business partner award goes to a long standing business 
partnership and an icon in the community. Producers Dairy was nominated 
by the State Center Community College District for their contributions 
to the State Center system for over a decade. Producers is sole sponsor 
of the ``Producers California Community College Baseball State 
Championships.'' This event not only touches college athletes but 
brings thousands of dollars into the Fresno Community. Producers Dairy 
also provides over $20,000 in scholarships to students who might not 
otherwise have the means to go to college.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay tribute to Harris 
Ranch, Giannini Packaging Corporation, WestAmerica Bank, Evangelical 
Free Church, Dumont Printing, The Clovis Independent, David and Sons, 
Claude Laval Corporation, Costco Wholesale, and Producers Dairy for the 
dedication and care that they have exhibited for future education. 
School business partnerships bring a little bit of hope to a lot of 
kids, thanks to the commitment of powerful teachers and concerned and 
dedicated citizens. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing these 
companies many more years of success.

                          ____________________