[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO HOMEGROWN VALUES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2000

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 27 years of 
homegrown values and community service by people who grew a local 
financial institution into a success enterprise and shepherded its 
continued investment in Ventura County, California.
  When American Commercial Bank opened its doors on September 18, 1973, 
its founders pledged not only to provide top-quality banking services, 
but also to use the bank's assets and standing to provide community 
support to Ventura County's citizens.
  It was well-suited to follow through on that promise. Its first 
chairman, Emilio Lagomarsino, was born in Ventura County around the 
turn of the century. Emilio Lagomarsino was successful in a variety of 
pursuits, including farming, wholesale beverage distribution and oil.
  Edward T. Martin followed Mr. Lagomarsino to the chairman's chair. He 
was active in Ojai civic, church and community affairs and founder of a 
successful outdoor advertising company. His son Tom currently serves on 
the board.
  Allen W. Jue, who succeeded Martin as chairman, also is a native of 
Ventura County. His father, Walton Jue, opened National Market across 
from the San Buenaventura Mission in 1928.
  Earlier this year, Mr. Jue turned the chairmanship over to Emilio's 
son, Robert J. Lagomarsino, who many in this chamber remember as a 
valued colleague. Community service is in his blood. He served in the 
U.S. Navy, was an Ojai city councilman and mayor, a California state 
senator, and a congressman from 1974 to 1993.
  Chief Executive Officer Gerald J. Lukiewski is not a native 
California, but he has sunk his roots deep here. He graduated from 
California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks and married a 
California girl, Nancy. He has been lured by major financial 
corporations, but prefers community banking so he can spend as much 
time as possible with Nancy and their eight children.
  The sense of family and community to which these men aspire is 
reflected in the bank's community record. The bank has been actively 
involved in and contributed to: Community Memorial Hospital; Ventura 
Chamber Music Festival; Ventura Rotary International; Oxnard 
Downtowners; Ventura County Museum of History & Art; Casa Latina; 
Ventura Country Community Foundation; Multiple Sclerosis; United 
Cerebral Palsy; Working To Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect; Ventura 
County Fair; National Park Trust; the Oxnard, Ventura and Camarillo 
Boyes & Girls Clubs; and the Chamber of Commerce of Ventura, Oxnard and 
Camarillo. Educational support has also been provided to Oxnard 
College, Saint Thomas Aquinas College and to the CSU-Northridge Channel 
Island University Advisory Board.
  Only a successful enterprise could provide such strong community 
support. The bank has completed its most successful year with record 
growth in capital, loans, deposits and net profit and has paid 67 
consecutive quarterly cash dividends to its shareholders. The bank 
operates six Ventura County offices and, as of June 30, 2000, assets 
exceeded one-quarter billion dollars.
  American Commercial Bank has received numerous national and community 
recognitions for its accomplishments. The American Bankers Association 
awarded a community service award to the bank and the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation categorized the bank as ``well-capitalized,'' its 
highest rating of capital adequacy. The prestigious Bauer Financial 
Group has awarded its highest star rating of ``Superior'' and ``five 
stars'' to the bank for its outstanding financial performance.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in recognizing 
the people who led American Commercial Bank through 27 years of 
accomplishment and service and wish them and the community they serve 
continued success.

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