[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 49 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E441-E442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]






                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 31, 2008

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mayor 
Alan Autry upon being named the Armenian National Committee's ``Man of 
the Year.'' Mayor Autry will be honored at a luncheon on Sunday, March 
30, 2008, at the Armenian Community Center in Fresno, CA.
  Alan Autry was born in Shreveport, LA. As a child, his family moved 
to the Central San Joaquin Valley and settled in the small farming 
community of Riverdale, CA. He attended Riverdale High School and 
received an athletic scholarship to the University of the Pacific in 
Stockton, CA, where he received a bachelor's degree in physical 
education. Upon graduating from UOP, Mayor Autry played in the National 
Football League for the Green Bay Packers. He spent 3 years in the NFL 
before retiring.
  After leaving the NFL, Mayor Autry turned to a career in film and 
television. For 22 years

[[Page E442]]

Mayor Autry played various roles on both the big and small screen. He 
has continued his entertainment career through the development of the 
Autry Entertainment Group. As CEO of the Autry Entertainment Group, 
Autry continues to work to bring Fresno to the forefront as a location 
for entertainment projects creating economic stimulus. In a desire to 
further improve and serve the city of Fresno, he decided to enter the 
realm of politics and enter the 2000 mayoral race.
  On January 2, 2001, Mayor Autry was sworn into office to serve as the 
Mayor of Fresno. He was elected to serve a second term that began in 
January 2005. While in office, the Mayor has been active in various 
causes with his primary focus being crime prevention and education 
reform. He has also been active in the Armenian community of Fresno. 
Prior to being elected into office, he clearly stated his desire to 
revitalize downtown Fresno. By revitalizing this area of the city, 
Mayor Autry believes that ``Armenia Town'' would be able to thrive as 
it did when Armenian immigrants first arrived in Fresno. In 2005, Mayor 
Autry committed to building a monument in Fresno dedicated to the 
victims of the Armenian Genocide. Mayor Autry has also been a strong 
supporter of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mayor Alan 
Autry upon being awarded with the 2008 Armenian National Committee's 
``Man of the Year'' Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing 
Mayor Autry many years of continued success.

                          ____________________