[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. SPALDING WATHEN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. 
Spalding Wathen of Fresno, California. Mr. Wathen served his country 
and his community with remarkable distinction. He is survived by his 
wife Della Ann Wathen and five daughters, Judy, Shelley, Leslie, Terry 
and Cindy. On this day, we mourn his passing, but also celebrate his 
life.
  Born in Fresno on March 1, 1925, Mr. Wathen attended Roosevelt High 
School. Upon graduation he joined the military and served as a Navy 
pilot in World War II. After the war, Mr. Wathen returned to California 
where he continued his education at the University of California, 
Berkeley and received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. Mr. 
Wathen was a member of the Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi Engineering 
Scholastic Fraternities and graduated at the top of his class.
  Upon returning to Fresno, Mr. Wathen received his contractor and real 
estate broker licenses. His life is a fitting example of the motto: 
``Hard work pays off.'' Mr. Wathen was Chief Executive Officer of 
Wathen Brothers, Headliner Homes and Mansionette Homes. His businesses 
are well known and respected for their committed effort to combine fine 
workmanship with affordable housing.
  Mr. Wathen's business endeavors and civic mindedness brought him into 
contact with many community groups who recognized and applauded his 
efforts. He served as the President of the Builders Industry 
Association four times and was inducted into the West Coast Builders 
Association Hall of Fame in 1996. Mr. Wathen was also one of a select 
number of builders who were granted the Oscar Spano Award for Lifetime 
Achievement.
  Within the community, Mr. Wathen will be remembered as a true 
visionary and a strong employer of local citizens. While Mr. Wathen had 
a keen eye for business ventures, he was also a community advocate who 
dedicated himself to giving back to the community that had allowed him 
to succeed. His numerous donations include the Fresno State University 
Tennis Center, the 33 acres of land upon which St. Agnes Medical Center 
was built, and the 10-acre site for the new Holy Spirit Catholic 
Church. Mr. Wathen was also a founding member of the Board of Directors 
for the Bank of Fresno.
  The passing of Spalding Wathen has left a community in mourning. We 
have lost a passionate businessperson, a true leader and a committed 
advocate. His memory will live on, however, in the many lives he 
touched along the way.

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