[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING WILLIAM (BILL) HOWARD AHMANSON

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 2004

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, on October 9, 2004, the Los Angeles Police 
Reserve Foundation will recognize William (Bill) Howard Ahmanson for 
his untiring and committed efforts on behalf of his community, and the 
County of Los Angeles. He will be presented with the coveted ``Twice A 
Citizen'' Award for his extraordinary volunteer work, as well as his 
long record of dedicated support and service to the law enforcement 
community.
  In 1986, Bill became a Los Angeles Police Reserve Officer. His 
experience includes the specialized CRASH (Community Relations Against 
Street Hoodlums) unit, Newton, Hollywood and Rampart Divisions. 
Currently he maintains a Specialist Reserve Status and is credited with 
being a member of the host committee for the 2004 International 
Association of the Chiefs of Police Convention that was held in Los 
Angeles. He is also the director of the Los Angeles Police Memorial 
Foundation that provides assistance to families of police officers who 
were killed in the line of duty. Recognizing that the rich history of 
the Los Angeles Police Department must be preserved for posterity, Bill 
is a director of the Los Angeles Police Historical Society (LAPHS). 
LAPHS was founded in 1989 to create a world-class museum that reflects 
the departments many contributions since its inception in 1869.
  Horses are also an area of concern for Bill. As the vice president of 
the Los Angeles Police Equestrian Fund, he is able to direct the humane 
retirement of the department's horses and supervise acquisition of 
equipment for the officers and horses of the Los Angeles Police Mounted 
Unit.

  Many of his civic responsibilities revolve around Los Angeles. Bill 
is a trustee of the Ahmanson Foundation whose philanthropy is directed 
toward organizations and institutions serving the greater Los Angeles 
community. He is also a trustee of the Los Angeles County Museum of 
Art. It was established to serve the public through the collection, 
conservation, exhibition and interpretation of significant works of art 
and to provide cultural experiences for a wide array of audiences.
  He is a member of the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board 
(WIB). Nominated by Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and appointed by 
the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. WIB implements the 
workforce Investment Act of 1998. This Board's mandate is to provide 
key policy decisions affecting the local workforce development system, 
and to identify and certify Work Source California Centers in Los 
Angeles County.
  Bill is on the advisory board for the Stennis Family Foundation. The 
Stennis Family Foundation was founded by Erin and Michael Stennis to 
heighten awareness within the minority community on the prevention and 
cure of colorectal cancer, the nation's second leading cancer killer. 
Bill is also associated with Christ The King Roman Catholic Church and 
the Wilshire/Los Angeles Chapter of Rotary International.
  Bill and his wife, Karla, along with their three children, Chris, 
Katie and Kara are Los Angeles residents.
  Because he exemplifies all that is right with our nation's grassroots 
volunteer efforts, I am pleased to have the opportunity to recognize 
William ``Bill'' Howard Ahmanson as a dedicated, compassionate and 
committed American.

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