[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF LEO KOLLIGIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2008

   Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues from 
California, Congressman Dennis Cardoza, Congressman George Radanovich, 
and Congressman Devin Nunes to pay tribute to the life of Leo Kolligian 
of Fresno, California, who recently passed away at 90 years of age. Mr. 
Kolligian was an ambitious man who made lasting, positive impacts on 
California's Central Valley. He leaves behind a loving family including 
his wife June, his son Lee Jay, a daughter-in-law Maria and his three 
grandchildren Tyler, Kyle, and Kate.
   Leo was born in Fresno in August of 1917. After graduating from 
Fresno State, Leo spent time in Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law in 
order to obtain his Juris Doctorate. Leo soon began serving as the 
United States Deputy Attorney General in Sacramento, before venturing 
into the development industry throughout Fresno, Merced, and Madera 
counties where his impressive work is still appreciated today. In 1985, 
Leo was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents by 
the Governor of California. Leo was then elected Chairman of the Board, 
wherein he was a driving force in the establishment of the University 
of California, Merced--the Valley's only UC campus.
   While achieving numerous successes and accolades for his service, 
Leo still found time to dedicate to the Boalt Hall Law School Board of 
Trustees, the American Cancer Society, the Saint Agnes Medical Center 
Board of Trustees, and the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. Leo earned a 
reputation as a passionate advocate for education and a supporter of 
many worthwhile charitable organizations. The legacy of his support for 
education is forever preserved on the University of California Merced 
campus with the establishment of the Leo S. Kolligian Library. Despite 
his many contributions and accomplishments, Leo remained a humble, 
grateful man who never forgot the values for which he stood--hard work, 
honesty and integrity.
   It goes without saying that Leo Kolligian had a strong positive 
influence on the region. His lifelong commitment to the betterment of 
the entire San Joaquin Valley will forever live in the lives of the 
people he so graciously touched. We are honored and humbled to join his 
family in celebrating the life of this amazing man who will never be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________