[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING BERNARD JARVIS ROBINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the achievements of 
Bernard ``Jake'' Robinson and to congratulate him upon being honored 
with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Madera Chamber of 
Commerce. Mr. Robinson will be honored at a reception on Thursday 
August 21, 2008 at the Fourth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and 
Board of Directors Installation Dinner.
  Mr. Jake Robinson was born on August 19, 1933 in Arkansas. Mr. 
Robinson was born during a time of great societal barriers, and 
continually worked to overcome those barriers. As a child he loved to 
play basketball, and even fabricated a make-shift hoop. As a freshman 
in high school he wanted to play, but was told that he was not good 
enough. He continued to practice with his hoop and as a sophomore he 
made the basketball team at Scipio A. Jones High School. The team was 
unbeatable and Mr. Robinson was awarded All-State, All-Regional and 
All-American honors. He was the first African American in Arkansas to 
make the All-Star basketball team. After high school he continued to 
play basketball in college at Arkansas AM and N College.
  After serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. Robinson went to work for 
Forehand Motors washing cars. He quickly moved up the ladder and became 
a parts manager. Mr. Robinson was the only African American in 
management in the Northern Division of General Motors. During his 
career he received numerous accolades and awards for his commitment to 
excellence from General Motors. He retired after 39 years. His 
commitment to his career was equal to his commitment to his community.
  Mr. Robinson served 17 years on the Board of Trustees of Madera 
Unified School District. The B.J. Robinson Gymnasium at Thomas 
Jefferson Middle School was erected as a tribute to his dedicated 
service. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, worked on the 
Citizens Committee for Measure E, is a former member of the Madera 
Linkage Foundation, involved with the NAACP and an advocate for youth 
athletics. He worked tirelessly to see the completion of Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Middle School and successfully lobbied to have the canal by 
the school covered for the safety of the students and neighborhood.
  Due to his endless efforts, Madera High School honored Mr. Robinson 
as the Grand Marshall for the 1999 Homecoming Parade and Football game. 
Martin Luther King, Jr Middle School named him as Humanitarian of the 
Year in 1995. He was recognized by Kiwanis International for 
Distinguished Service for 1999-2000. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were named 
as the Couple of the Year in 1988 during Black History Month and 
received the NAACP's Curtis Collier Award.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Bernard 
``Jake'' Robinson upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement 
Award''. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Robinson many 
years of continued success.

                          ____________________