[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3913-S3914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF DON GUNDERSON

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, on May 21, students and former 
students, their parents, teachers and administrators of Los Altos High 
School, will come together in Southern California to show their 
appreciation, and express their thanks and best wishes to Don 
Gunderson, who is retiring this year after 41 years as a music 
educator.
  Don Gunderson began his teaching career at the halfway point of 
President Dwight Eisenhower's second term, working with his mentor in 
Washington state, teaching instrumental music in the junior high, as 
well as music to elementary schoolers. Three years later, in 1961, Mr. 
Gunderson came to Anaheim, California to be the band, orchestra and 
choir director at Crescent Junior High School, which was still in 
construction when he was hired. Five years later, he began a very 
distinguished eleven-year career as the band and orchestra director at 
Savannah High School in Anaheim. In 1978, Mr. Gunderson rose to the 
college ranks, serving as head of the jazz and student teacher programs 
at California State University at Fullerton.
  Three years later, in 1981, Don Gunderson decided to return to high 
school instruction at Los Altos High School, in Hacienda Heights. At 
that time, Los Altos was one of the largest musical programs in 
Southern California, with a strong reputation in marching band 
competitions. For the next nineteen years, Los Altos High School would 
become more than just the home of one of Southern California's largest 
marching bands--it would be the site of one of our nation's 
internationally recognized music education programs. The Los Altos 
Entertainment Unit has performed at the Fiesta Bowl pageant twice and 
marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade four times. They've been here 
in Washington, where they performed at the White House, and traveled 
for performances in Florida and the Bahamas.
  Don Gunderson began building the music program's international 
credentials in 1982, when he led the Los Altos Entertainment Unit on a 
two week tour of England and Scotland. Knowing that very few, if any 
Americans, knew of Hacienda Heights, Mr. Gunderson was prepared when 
inquiring Brits asked where in the world is Hacienda Heights: ``We're 
not far from Disneyland'' was his reply. It's safe to say that after 
that 1982 trip, along with a return visit ten years later as guests of 
the British Military as part of the prestigious Royal Tournament, the 
people of Britain know how to find Hacienda Heights on a map. The same 
can be said for music-lovers that had the good fortune to see and hear 
Los Altos perform in Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland. The Los 
Altos Entertainment Unit has been the recipient of countless awards and 
achievements. Los Altos was designated the Official Youth Band of the 
1984 Summer Olympics, and was crowned three times as marching band 
champions at the Southern California Tournament of Champions. And 
that's just the marching band, color guard and dance team. Don 
Gunderson brought to Los Altos a commitment to a total music program, 
and strived to establish the same standard of excellence to the 
orchestral and jazz programs.

[[Page S3914]]

  Perhaps just as significant are the signs of recognition and respect 
given to this program in ways other than award ceremonies. Go to a 
Friday night football game at Los Altos and you're sure to find a few 
young people from other high schools in Southern California in the 
stands not to see the football team, but to watch and hear the 
Entertainment Unit. Those same football games certainly sparked the 
imaginations of young elementary and junior high school students, who 
would come home interested in learning music and being a part of the 
Entertainment Unit. Come to the football field on a night when the 
Entertainment Unit is rehearsing and you're sure to find parents, 
students, teachers, former students, and even students from other high 
schools in the stands. Trace the career paths of those who learned from 
Don Gunderson and yes, you'll find those who have gone on to rewarding 
careers in music and music education. However, there are many more 
alumni of the Los Altos Entertainment Unit that pursued other careers, 
but they carry with them lessons learned from Don Gunderson on football 
fields, concert halls, or the band room that go beyond musical notes on 
a page--lessons in teamwork, preparation, determination, and 
excellence.
  Mr. President, those who have learned and applied these and countless 
other lessons from Don Gunderson will have an opportunity to say thanks 
in a few short weeks. Let me join them in expressing my admiration to a 
man who has brought the joy of music to thousands of students and 
parents, and to countless more around the world who have heard the 
stirring opening fanfare, ``Conquistadores.'' Perhaps more important, 
let me express my own thanks to Don Gunderson for the honor and 
inspiration he has brought to the teaching profession for more than 
forty years. To borrow from the Los Altos motto, Don Gunderson has 
engaged and conquered.
  I wish Don Gunderson, his wife Judy and his family, all the very 
best.

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