[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO JERRY L. GLADDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 5, 1999

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my good friend Jerry L. 
Gladden, who will retire this month after 30 years, 1 month, 2 weeks 
and 6 days with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.
  For more than 20 years, Jerry has served as general manager for the 
district and clerk of the board, leading the district capably and 
efficiently through several financial crises as he continued to see 
that Simi Valley and Oak Park, California, has superb parks and 
recreational programs.
  Jerry has contributed to the community in many other ways as well. He 
was president of the Simi Valley Noontime Lions Club from 1976 to 1977. 
Since 1979, he has been a member of the Simi Valley Rotary Club, for 
which he has chaired several committees. He is a former member of the 
Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce and served on the United Way 
Allocations Committee for seven years.
  But Jerry's greatest legacy will be the recreational opportunities he 
created and maintained.
  A general manager's greatest challenge is to keep his agency solvent. 
When money became tight, Jerry helped form the Rancho Simi Foundation, 
a non-profit organization with the responsibility of raising funds to 
help support recreation programs. He pushed for a continuing grant 
program, which has brought in more than $6.2 million to the Park 
District during the past 25 years. He is responsible for establishing a 
lease/operator concession program that generates more than $1 million 
for the district each year. He also found ways to cut insurance 
premiums for the district.
  In addition, Jerry established a volunteer program with a core of 
more than 200 volunteers who clear trails, clean parks, perform 
clerical work and help run youth programs. He also established a 
fundraising program that has raised more than $40,000 in cash and gifts 
to help support special events for Simi Valley's youth.
  Apparently he had too much time on his hands and accepted the 
position of chief administrative officer for the Rancho Simi Open Space 
Conservation Agency, a joint powers authority between the Park District 
and the City of Simi Valley. The agency manages Corriganville Park, an 
old-time movie ranch that was the model for present-day Universal 
Studios.
  Not surprisingly, Jerry has won numerous awards for his hard work, 
dedication and success.
  Jerry and his wife, Donna, have three children and four 
grandchildren. When time permits, he enjoys woodworking and restoring 
cars. He is also still learning to golf. It is unknown if more time on 
the greens will actually improve his game.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing Jerry 
L. Gladden for his decades of dedicated service and in wishing him and 
his family Godspeed in his retirement. His dedication to recreational 
opportunities will be difficult for the Park District to replace.

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