[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 110 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1510-E1511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TO HONOR MR. ED ROBSON ON HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 2000

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to 
the man behind one of the largest home building operations in America, 
Mr. Ed Robson. As he prepares to make his 70th birthday on September 
21st, I'd like to share the history of this outstanding American and 
Arizonan with my colleagues.
  Known as the man behind Robson Communities, Ed grew up in a middle 
class home environment in Boston, Mass. Although he knew the value of a 
good education, his love for sports and adventure was greater. After 
graduating in 1954 with a degree in business and banking from Colorado 
College in Colorado Springs, Ed played hockey for Team U.S.A. and was 
an alternate member of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. After leaving the 
hockey team, Robson joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned as a 
naval aviator at Pensacola. He served for five years as a helicopter 
pilot and attained the rank of Captain before leaving the Marines.
  Ed began his impressive career as a home builder in 1960, when he 
decided to pursue real estate and joined Coldwell Banker in Arizona as 
a real estate agent. He quickly became a broker for one of their 
offices. He left Coldwell Banker in 1962 and joined the Del Webb 
Corporation, which is his chief competitor today. As Director of 
Corporate Sales for the Del Webb Corporation, Robson gained 
immeasurable experience in all areas of the construction business.
  In 1965, Robson decided to leave Webb to test his expertise and 
budding entrepreneurial spirit with his own real estate projects. With 
two other Webb employees, Robson marketed resort home sites in Bullhead 
City, Arizona, and then developed the Pinewood Golf Community in 
Flagstaff, Arizona. The success of these projects enabled Robson to 
acquire farmland in 1972, which became Sun Lakes. Robson's competitive 
drive and business acumen carried him through some tough periods 
including the energy crisis and recession.
  Today, Sun Lakes is a 3,500-acre community with more than 14,000 
residents. Robson also markets and develops three other active adult 
communities in Arizona and recently announced expansion plans in Texas. 
Robson Communities and its affiliated companies employ more than 1,170 
employees and have closed more than 12,500 homes.
  Father of five children and grandfather of 13, Robson still finds 
time to participate in community affairs. He was the 1993 Heart Ball 
Honoree Chairman and was instrumental in netting approximately $1 
million for the American Heart Association. In 1994, he was the

[[Page E1511]]

chairman for the Phoenix Boys and Girls Clubs and remains active on 
their Board of Directors. Robson also is or has been involved with a 
number of civic boards including Bank One, St. Luke's Foundation, 
United for Arizona and American Heart Association.
  Robson's extraordinary achievements have not gone unnoticed. Arizona 
State University named him ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' in 1994 and 
Ernst & Young named him the same in 1996. In 1998, Northwood University 
named Robson one of the ``Outstanding Business Leaders'' in the United 
States. He was also the recipient of the 1998 Ellis Island Medal of 
Honor whose past honorees have included Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald 
Reagan, and George Bush. Also included in this list of honorees is 
Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Mickey Mantle and Barbara Walters. Robson's 
personal favorite achievement was his induction into his High School 
Hall of Fame in Arlington, Massachusetts.
  As you can see, Ed leads by example. He is truly an outstanding 
individual who deserves to be recognized. Therefore I ask you to please 
join me in wishing my friend Ed Robson a Happy 70th Birthday and 
continued success.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to the man behind 
one of the largest home building operations in America, Mr. Ed Robson. 
As he prepares to mark his 70th birthday on September 21, I'd like to 
share the history of this outstanding American and Arizonan with my 
colleagues.
  Known as the man behind Robson Communities, Ed grew up in a middle 
class home environment in Boston, Mass. Although he knew the value of a 
good education, his love for sports and adventure was even greater. 
After graduating in 1954 with a degree in business and banking from 
Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Ed played hockey for Team U.S.A. 
and was an alternate member of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. After 
leaving the hockey team, Robson joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was 
assigned as a naval aviator at Pensacola. He served for five years as a 
helicopter pilot and attained the rank of Captain before leaving the 
Marines.
  Ed began his impressive career as a home builder in 1960, when he 
decided to pursue real estate and joined Coldwell Banker in Arizona as 
a real estate agent. He quickly became a broker for one of their 
offices. He left Coldwell Banker in 1962 and joined the Del Webb 
Corporation, which is his chief competitor today. As Director of 
Corporate Sales for the Del Webb Corporation, Robson gained 
immeasurable experience in all areas of the construction business.
  In 1965, Robson decided to leave Webb to test his expertise and 
budding entrepreneurial spirit with his own real estate projects. With 
two other Webb employees, Robson marketed resort homesites in Bullhead 
City, Ariz., and then developed the Pinewood Golf Community in 
Flagstaff, Ariz. The success of these projects enabled Robson to 
acquire farmland in 1972, which became Sun Lakes. Robson's competitive 
drive and business acumen carried him through some tough periods 
including the energy crisis and recession.
  Today, Sun Lakes is a 3,500-acre community with more than 14,000 
residents. Robson also markets and develops three other active adult 
communities in Arizona and recently announced expansion plans in Texas. 
Robson Communities and its affiliated companies employ more than 1,170 
employees and have closed more than 12,500 homes.
  Father of five children and grandfather of 13, Robson still finds 
time to participate in community affairs. He was the 1993 Heart Ball 
Honoree Chairman and was instrumental in netting approximately $1 
million for the American Heart Association. In 1994, he was the 
chairman for the Phoenix Boys and Girls Clubs and remains active on 
their Board of Directors. Robson also is or has been involved with a 
number of civic boards including Bank One, St. Luke's Foundation, 
United for Arizona and American Heart Association.
  Robson's extraordinary achievements have not gone unnoticed. Arizona 
State University named him ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' in 1994 and 
Ernst & Young named him the same in 1996. In 1998, Northwood University 
named Robson one of the ``Outstanding Business Leaders'' in the United 
States. He was also the recipient of the 1998 Ellis Island Medal of 
Honor whose past honorees have included Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald 
Reagan and George Bush. Also included in this list of honorees is Frank 
Sinatra, Bob Hope, Mickey Mantle and Barbara Walters. Robson's personal 
favorite achievement was his induction into his High School Hall of 
Fame in Arlington, Mass.
  As you can see, Ed leads by example. He is truly an outstanding 
individual who deserves to be recognized. Therefore I ask you to please 
join me in wishing my friend Ed Robson a Happy 70th Birthday and 
continued success.

                          ____________________