[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       A TRIBUTE TO MIKE PFANKUCH

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognizing the 
outstanding achievements of Mike Pfankuch, the outgoing president of 
the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club. In this 2004-2005 service, Mike has 
contributed enormously and made a tremendous difference to the Rotary 
Club and the citizens of Carlsbad.
  Mike's accomplishments are many and varied. Under his guidance, the 
Rotary Club has completed and dedicated its three-year Centennial 
Project, the Carlsbad Hosp Grove Picnic Area. The project included a 
cleanup of the grove, the planting of 1,000 trees and the donation of 
picnic tables and benches, a very welcome amenity to the city.
  In addition, the Second Annual Hi-Noon Rotary golf tournament 
fundraiser was successfully completed and the funds dedicated to 
providing scholarships to local high school students, a Rotaract Club 
has been established, and the Annual Oktoberfest fundraiser sponsored 
in conjunction with the Carlsbad Evening Rotary Club completed a record 
year. The 26,000 of proceeds was donated to the Women's Resource 
Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad and Community Youth 
Services. The Oktoberfest was a project originally initiated by the Hi-
Noon Rotary Club.
  Mike's leadership is also making a difference to people in need of a 
helping hand. He initiated a program to provide financial aid to the 
Store Front, a San Diego organization dedicated to helping homeless 
children get a fresh start in life. During Mike's tenure a number of 
other projects were completed which enhanced public safety, provided 
volunteers and supplies to do maintenance and repair work for the 
elderly and needy in the community, to distribute food, clothing and 
toys to needy families in conjunction with he Carlsbad Christmas 
Bureau, and sponsored a Christmas party and dinner for elementary 
school children of very low income families.
  During Mike's tenure, in an effort to promote literacy, a Dictionary 
Distribution program was initiated and the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotarians 
distributed English and Spanish dictionaries to needy elementary school 
children.
  On the international front, Mike also provided extraordinary 
leadership by establishing a Model UN Program, exposing high school 
students to world affairs, led the way to provide sponsors for exchange 
students from foreign countries, initiated and obtained an AIDS 
Education Program grant, initiated an aid program for the victims of 
the tsunami in Southeast Asia, and provided the leadership necessary to 
provide financial assistance for dental care and a dental clinic for 
the needy children of Honduras. In addition, during his tenure a 
partnership project was established with a Rotary Club in Ensenada, 
Mexico to provide water, electricity, plumbing and painting, a project 
that will benefit approximately 1,000 people.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in recognizing the many fine 
achievements of Mike Pfankuch. Without question, his leadership and the 
fine work of the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club are worthy of recognition 
by the House today.

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