[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 33 (Thursday, February 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO CORONA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR BECKY GUNNOE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2008

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Corona, California, are exceptional. Corona has been fortunate to have 
dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly 
give their time and talent and make their communities a better place to 
live and work. Becky Gunnoe is one of these individuals. On January 19, 
2008, Becky received the city of Corona's top honor when the Corona 
Chamber of Commerce named her Citizen of the Year for 2007 at the 
organization's 93rd annual awards and installation dinner at the Eagle 
Glen Golf Club.
  Becky Gunnoe exemplifies the word ``volunteer.'' For more than 20 
years, Becky has touched the lives of many people through her volunteer 
work in many programs and services in Corona. As a founding member in 
1996, Becky was the catalyst for the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) 
coming to Corona, including funding, training, and attracting 
volunteers. TIP is a group of specially trained citizen volunteers who 
provide ``emotional first aid'' to victims of traumatic events and 
their families in the first few hours following a tragedy. The 
volunteers are called to a crisis scene or to a local hospital by 
authorized police officers, firefighters or hospital personnel. Now in 
its 11th successful year, the program has a close working relationship 
with all the local emergency agencies because of Becky's continued 
efforts. She is responsible for training not only the volunteers, but 
also the emergency personnel.
  Becky has also served on the Corona Fire Safety Foundation Board, 
CFSF, for the past 5 years, and currently is its president. She has 
also been with the Community Police Community Partnership, CPCP, since 
October 1997 and served as president from 1999 to 2001. A joint 
fundraiser of these two organizations called the Great Taste has 
enabled these partnerships between the community and the city to 
enhance and expand public safety for the benefit of residents.
  Becky was one of the first volunteers trained and has been a trainer 
for the past five years for the City of Corona Fire Department 
Community Emergency Response Team program, CERT, which supplements city 
resources in the event of a disaster or other major emergency. CERT 
volunteers are trained in emergency procedures and are duly registered 
as disaster service workers in accordance with the California 
Government Code and the City of Corona Municipal Code. Becky has also 
been actively involved with the Advisory Board of Alternatives to 
Domestic Violence, ADV, and the Coalition of Family Preservation for 
almost 10 years. She has also served on the Riverside County Board of 
Alternatives to Domestic Violence, ADV, for 2 years and served as 
president in 2005. In addition to all her community activities, Becky 
also takes care of her husband, Dr. Charles E. Gunnoe, a former Chamber 
president and winner of the Citizen of the Year award in 1997.
  In light of all Becky Gunnoe has done for the community of Corona, 
the City of Corona named Becky their Citizen of the Year. Becky's 
tireless passion for community service has contributed immensely to the 
betterment of the community of Corona, California. She has been the 
heart and soul of many community organizations and events and I am 
proud to call her a fellow community member, American and friend. I 
know that many community members are grateful for her service and 
salute her as she receives this prestigious award.

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