[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 37 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E390-E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO BUD GORDON--IRA D. CALVERT DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD 
                               RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication contributions to the community of Corona, 
California are exceptional. Corona, and surrounding communities, has 
been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated business and community 
leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent and 
make their communities a better place to live and work. Bud Gordon is 
one of these individuals. On March 22, 2003, Bud will be honored at the 
annual YMCA Ira D ``Cal'' Calvert Distinguished Service Awards Dinner.
  For the past several years, Bud has volunteered and supported many of 
our most recognizable civic projects in Corona. He has served as the 
Executive Chairman of the Happy Hairston Youth Foundation and with late 
Happy Hairston, chaired the golf tournament for many years. Over the 
past seven years, Bud also has raised over one million

[[Page E391]]

dollars for local charities while serving as the Chairman for numerous 
golf tournaments that benefited local groups such as the Fender Museum 
Foundation, the Boy Scouts, the ARC Angel Foundation and the Happy 
Hairston Youth Foundation. He has also served as a committee member on 
several other charity golf tournaments such as the American Cancer 
Societies, The Boys and Girls Club of Temecula, and the Corona Regional 
Medical Center.
  In addition to his service on established charitable organizations, 
Bud initiated a new program called ``The Cool Down Corona Program''. 
During the hot summer months, senior citizens without air conditioning 
were suffering needlessly. Bud decided to go down to the local hardware 
store and purchase 30 window air conditioners. He then contacted the 
Corona Police Department, the Corona Fire Department and the Corona 
Senior Center and obtained the names of seniors in our community that 
did not have air conditioners. Over the past few years the program has 
grown and every year more seniors are helped during the summer months 
with much needed relief.
  Bud also co-founded the At Risk Children Foundation, or ARC Angel 
Foundation and has raised and given back to the community over half a 
million dollars in goods and services. One of the first activities 
organized by ARC Angel was to take 700 children from lowincome 
families to an Anaheim Angels ballgame at Edison Field, many of whom 
had never been out outside the city of Corona. Bud personally ftmded 
the tickets, food, souvenirs, and a mobile disc jockey.
  One of the defining moments in Bud's charitable record, was his 
involvement after September 11, 2001. On the weekend following the 
tragedy, Bud gave away United States flags to anyone who came into his 
car dealership requesting a flag. He also offered to donate $100 to the 
New York Relief Fund for each car that was sold in the name of that 
customer. On the week anniversary of September 11th, Bud closed the 
dealership at noon to have a brief program in remembrance of the 
victims. Local firefighters and police were honored and Bud announced 
he would match funds for anyone who would like to donate money to the 
relief efforts.
  Bud has set a standard of excellence and commitment in his work with 
charity. His tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the community of Corona, California. His 
involvement in the community makes me proud to call him a fellow 
community member, American and friend. I know that many community 
members are grateful for his service and salute him as he receives the 
``Ira D. Calvert Distinguished Service Award''.

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