[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO DR. DAMON CASTILLO, JR., OUTGOING 2000 PRESIDENT, GREATER 
                 RIVERSIDE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2001

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay tribute to a man 
who has given time and time again to the children, parents and 
communities of Riverside, CA. An individual whose dedication and 
unselfish public service has made Riverside a better place to live and 
work. Dr. Damon Castillo, Jr. is one of these individuals and much, 
much more.
  On January 20, 2001 Dr. Castillo was honored as the outgoing 2000 
President of the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In his 
capacity as President, Damon brought his belief that in partnership 
with the local businesses and the communities our schools can build a 
solid foundation of literacy knowledge permitting all students to 
succeed well into the next millennium.
  Dr. Damon Castillo, Jr. has 29 years of experience in the field of 
education, including teaching, administration, personnel management and 
district superintendent. As Superintendent of the Alvord Unified School 
District in Riverside, a district serving almost 17,000 students, Damon 
oversaw the passage of a school bond in the amount of $57 million. That 
school bond measure, combined with state funds, allowed the Alvord 
Unified School District to receive a total of $100 million for 
modernization and growth needs. Additionally, during his position as 
superintendent, the district continuation school was recognized by the 
state as a ``Model Continuation School.'' One elementary school was 
also recognized as a California Distinguished School--the first in the 
district's history.
  Damon's history of involvement in the community have also included: 
Member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Inland 
Valleys, President-elect of the Arlington Rotary Club, Member of the 
Riverside City Council's Downtown Specific Plan Committee and as a 
member of my Hispanic Task Force. Recognitions have included the 1998 
Inland Empire Hispanic Image Awards, 1998 Greater Riverside Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, 1999 Minority Male Award 
and the 1999 Presidential Citation for Educational leadership.
  His outstanding work to promote Hispanic businesses, community 
organizations and students of the Inland Empire make me proud to call 
him a community member and fellow American. I know that all of the 
Inland Empire, including myself, are grateful for his contributions to 
the betterment of the community and salute Damon as the outgoing 2000 
President. I look forward to continuing to work with him for the good 
of the Inland Empire in the future.




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