[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 102 (Friday, July 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOE TAVAGLIONE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Riverside, CA are exceptional. Riverside has been fortunate to have 
dynamic and dedicated community members who willingly and unselfishly 
give their time and talent and make their communities a better place to 
live and work. Joe Tavaglione, Jr. is one of these individuals. On 
Saturday, July 12, 2003 Joe will be celebrating his 80th birthday.
  Joe has spent most of his life in Riverside, his family moved there 
in 1927 when he was 3 years old. He is one of eleven siblings who 
worked together to help there family by operating citrus groves and the 
Rubidoux winery in the heart of Riverside. Joe attended local schools 
including Poly High School and Riverside City College.
  In 1944 Joe married his high school sweetheart, Jackie, and raised 
two sons, Jeff and Jay. The two sons would eventually join Joe and his 
brother Louis in the family business. Joe began his career working as a 
lumber salesman with Center Lumber Company in Riverside and later moved 
to the Heers Brothers Construction/Builders. His emphasis was in 
residential construction, building homes in California and Nevada and 
8,000 military units at Fort Ord, CA.
  After his success in working for Heers Brothers, Joe and Louis 
decided to form Tavaglione Construction and Development. They started 
building residential tracks, then shifted their focus to freestanding 
commercial buildings, constructing Farrell's Ice Cream Parlors, Chief 
Auto Parts and over 1,000 7-11 convenience stores in 12 western States.
  Joe has also been actively involved in the community, having been 
selected by two California Governors for statewide positions including 
Chairman of the California State Contractor's Board and the California 
Transportation Commission. He also sits on the City of Riverside's 
Public Utility Board and is the current President of the National 
Association of Contractors. Joe is also active in the Humane Society.
  Joe's tireless work ethic and dedication to community service has 
contributed immensely to the betterment of the community of Riverside, 
CA. I am proud to call Joe a fellow community member, American and 
friend. I know that many community members are grateful for his 
contributions and salute him on his 80th birthday.

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