[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO DEBBI HUFFMAN GUTHRIE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 17, 2001

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the Mt. Rubidoux 
District California Inland Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America 
in saluting Debbi Huffman Guthrie as their Distinguished Citizen of the 
Year--2001.
  Debbi, a lifelong resident of Riverside, California, is a third 
generation owner of a roofing company established by her grandfather in 
1921. As a native Riversider, Debbi attended Ramona High School and 
California State University, San Bernardino. Debbi Guthrie and her 
husband have four daughters and four grandchildren.
  Debbi Guthrie has been and continues to be a shining example of a 
person with passion and principles who has strived to have a positive 
effect upon her local community. Her approach and policy has been a 
simple one, that a community's strength comes from just that--the 
community. We must first start close to home and then radiate out if we 
hope to have fulfilling lives and impact others.
  Debbi Guthrie has unquestionably become a leader of women in her 
community, whose legacy originates from her company's history of giving 
back to the community. Her tireless, engaged action can be seen in an 
incredible array of community life, including: Trustee on the 
University of California, Riverside Foundation; President of the 
Riverside Community College/City Task Force; Chair-elect of the United 
Way of the Inland Valleys; Member of the Executive Committee, Monday 
Morning Group of Western Riverside County; Chair of the Roofing 
Apprenticeship Advisory Board; President of the Kiwanis Club of 
Riverside; and, Trustee on the March Field Museum Foundation.
  As a leader among women of the Inland Empire, Debbi has received 
countless other awards and recognitions, including: 1993 Riverside 
YWCA's Woman of Achievement ATHENA Award, 1994 Entrepreneur of the 
Year/Small Business, Ernst & Young, Inc. Magazine and Merrill Lynch; 
1997 United States Small Business Administration District Small 
Business Person of the Year; 1998 Fellow, University of California, 
Riverside A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management; 1999-2000 
Volunteer of the Year, Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce; 2000 
Management Leader of the Year, University of California Riverside A. 
Gary Anderson graduate School of Management; and, 2001 President's 
Award, Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce.
  Volunteers are critical to fostering a spirit of understanding, good 
citizenship and good government in the United States and worldwide. 
Since 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has instilled young men with the 
drive to ``help other people at all times,'' and to keep themselves 
``physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.'' Debbi 
Guthrie exemplifies these attributes and offers herself as a role model 
to young men and women, thereby assuring that an active interest in the 
civic, culture, social and moral welfare of our communities is passed 
on from generation to generation.
  Debbi Guthrie has gone above and beyond the Boy Scout protocol. I ask 
of my colleagues in Congress to please join me in honoring Debbi 
Guthrie for her courage, innovation, and commitment to the youth of 
tomorrow as she is recognized on October 20th.




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