[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             A TRIBUTE TO JAMES F. AND ROBERTA T. BUESCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2000

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great personal pleasure that 
I recognize my very dear friends Jim and Bobbi Buescher of Manhattan 
Beach, California on the happy occasion of their Twenty-fifth 
Anniversary of Marriage, today May 17, 2000.
  Jim and Bobbi were married on May 17, 1975 at St. John of God Church 
in Norwalk, California, which is located in my Thirty-fourth district. 
Bobbi is the sister of my Chief of Staff, Mr. Chuck Fuentes.
  Roberta Theresa Fuentes was born on November 17, 1948, the daughter 
of the late Robert H. ``Bob'' Fuentes and Theresa M. Fuentes (nee 
Palomares). Reared in Norwalk and later Cerritos, California, Bobbi was 
educated at Saint John of God Catholic Grammar School, where she 
graduated in 1962; Excelsior High School, where she graduated in 1966; 
and attended Cerritos Community College.
  Bobbi Fuentes, a popular and attentive student, was elected by her 
High School classmates as a Varsity Song Leader and as a Princess of 
the Homecoming Court in 1965. At Cerritos College, she continued her 
student activism as a member of Delta Phi Omega Sorority, and was again 
selected for the College Pep Squad as a Song Leader. She was honored by 
the Brothers of Sigma Phi Fraternity as their ``Fraternity Sweetheart'' 
in 1967-68 and was elected a Princess of the 1968 Homecoming Court. A 
Journalism Major, Bobbi was also served on the staff of the student 
newspaper Talon Marks.
  In 1970 Bobbi was named Miss Artesia-Cerritos and participated in the 
Miss California Beauty Pageant. Bobbi has been employed as a Flight 
Attendant for Trans World Airlines for thirty years and has traveled 
extensively throughout the world.
  James Frederick Buescher was born on June 6, 1945, the son of the 
late Fred M. Buescher and Elizabeth Buescher (nee Patterson). Reared in 
Ferguson and later Washington, Missouri, Jim was educated at Ferguson 
Elementary School and Ferguson High School, where he was elected by his 
classmates as President of the Student Council. Jim graduated from 
Ferguson High School in 1963.
  A serious and accomplished student, Jim attended MacMurray College in 
Jacksonville, Illinois and transferred to the University of Kansas 
where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in 
1968. While at KU, Jim was an Active member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
  Following his studies at KU, Jim moved to Southern California where 
he assumed the position of Vice President of Hazel of California, a 
specialty goods manufacturing company based in Santa Fe Springs. There 
he rose to prominence in business and community affairs.
  Within a relatively short period of time, Jim Buescher was elevated 
to President and Chief Operating Officer of Hazel of California. At 
this point, he was invited to join the very prestigious Young 
President's Organization, where he served a term as President. He was 
also active as a member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Fe 
Springs Chamber of Commerce and Industrial League. Jim was elected 
President of the Chamber in 1984.
  Following his illustrious career at Hazel/Jostens, Jim assumed a 
partnership investment in Gift-O-Rama, a giftware supplier based in 
Cerritos, California. A recognized leader in the specialty goods 
industry, Jim re-entered the business as Chief Operating Officer of 
Idea Man Incorporated, based in Los Angeles. He continues in his 
leadership position under the new ownership of Ha-Lo Industries, 
Incorporated, based in Chicago, Illinois.
  Together Jim and Bobbi have celebrated twenty-five years of marriage, 
enjoy world travel and life at the beach in sunny Southern California. 
They will be joined by many family members and friends at a Surprise 
Silver Wedding Anniversary Reception, at the Museum of Flying--Santa 
Monica Airport, on Sunday, May 20, 2000.
  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to extend to them, on behalf 
of my husband Frank and my family, our heartfelt congratulations to Jim 
and Bobbi Buescher on this very happy occasion and to wish them every 
possible happiness and many more years together.

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