[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 22 (Monday, February 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ANDREW E. AUSONIO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 8, 1999

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the passing 
of Andrew E. Ausonio, who died October 17, 1998, a devoted husband and 
father an innovative businessman, a leader in his community and a 
humanitarian both at home and abroad.
  Andy was a native of the Salinas Valley, graduating from Salinas High 
School, and attending Hartnell Junior College. His service in the Armed 
Forces drew him away for a time, but upon his return Andy applied his 
attention to developing his business and personal resources. His 
business capacities took him from Control Operator at the Moss Landing 
PG&E Electric Generation Plant; to become a founder of numerous 
property-related firms including Ausonio Construction Company, Inc.; to 
a position as Director and then Chairman of the Board of the Bank of 
Salinas; and Director of Artichoke Industries.
  Andy committed considerable energy to improve this community as a 
member of the Elks Lodge; President of Native Sons of the Golden West; 
President of the Castroville Rotary; Festival Chairman for the 
Castroville Artichoke Festival; President of the Notre Dame High School 
Board; Commissioner for the Castroville Fire District; President of the 
Salinas Valley Builders Exchange; Chapter President of the Associated 
General Contractors; Finance Commission for the Monterey Finance 
Commission; Director for the Monterey County Private Industry Council; 
Director for the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation; and as a 
member of the Advisory Committee for California Assemblyman Peter 
Frusetta.
  Andy had a musical side and was a member of the Watsonville 
community, brass and German bands. He was the major fundraiser in 
getting the North Monterey County High School band to play at President 
Bill Clinton's Inaugural Celebration in Washington, D.C.
  As a Rotarian, Andy organized a trip to the village of San Antonio 
Such, Guatemala, to work on a sewage water treatment system that was a 
threat to the health of the population due to the untreated sewage in 
the local streams. He returned to determine how the Rotary could best 
help the local people, and subsequently organized a literacy project. 
The project used Spanish books from California schools that were 
distributed in Guatemala. During his tenure, Andy also made 
improvements to the infrastructures in other areas of South America and 
Italy.
  Andy enriched his own community and communities around the world, 
with his ability to implement his practical talents through the medium 
of his larger vision of the world and its values. His work will be 
lasting, as will the lessons he taught every individual, whom he has 
inspired. Our deepest sympathies go to his family and those closest to 
Andy Ausonio.

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