[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 140 (Friday, October 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BONNIE DETTMER--2005 CASTRO VALLEY BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 28, 2005

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleague and neighbor Ms. 
Barbara Lee to pay tribute to Bonnie Dettmer who is being honored as 
the 2005 Castro Valley Business Person of the Year in Castro Valley, 
California.
  Bonnie Dettmer died recently and her admirers felt it a fitting 
tribute to honor her as the 2005 Castro Valley Businessperson of the 
Year. She was the Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce's top administrator 
for twenty years and worked tirelessly, during her long tenure as 
Executive Director, to make Castro Valley a better place to live and 
work.
  She achieved many milestones as Executive Director of the Castro 
Valley Chamber of Commerce. Her noteworthy accomplishments include 
personal outreach to businesses in Castro Valley to increase 
membership, serving as liaison to the Castro Valley Sheriff's 
Department and membership on the Sheriff's Advisory Committee, working 
to negotiate a water pipeline installation through Castro Valley that 
proved to be least disruptive to the business and community at large, 
honoring over 380 students for awards as Student Citizens of the Year 
at the Chamber's annual luncheon, leading an Anti-Racism march in 
Castro Valley and uniting the community to denounce bigotry and racism, 
and organizing hundreds of volunteers to successfully manage community 
events, such as the Fall Festival, Volunteer Recognition Night, and 
Citizen of the Year.
  She is a recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award for 
``Service Above Self'', an award from the Private Industry Council and 
a Public Education Service Award for her commitment to the Student 
Citizen of the Year Program.
  Friends and admirers describe Ms. Dettmer's love for Castro Valley. 
She would work her regular 40 hours a week and then add another 20 to 
30 hours on nights and weekends. She left a special mark on any 
activity in which she was involved.
  The Business Person of the Year Award will be presented in her memory 
at the Castro Valley Chamber's annual luncheon on November 1, 2005. We 
join the community in honoring her memory by designating the award to 
this well deserved, exemplary community leader. We shall miss Bonnie 
Dettmer. She leaves a legacy of accomplishments that will continue to 
be felt for many years to come.

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