[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO TRUMAN BENEDICT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
San Clemente, California are exceptional. San Clemente 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. Truman Benedict is one of these 
individuals. On February 19, 2009, the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce 
will honor Truman with their ``Outstanding Lifetime Achievement 
Award.''
  Truman Benedict moved to San Clemente in 1949, along with his wife 
Betty. A credentialed teacher educated at Whittier College in Los 
Angeles, Truman first began teaching seventh graders at Las Palmas. A 
Superintendent who had originally come to the ``village,'' as San 
Clemente was known, in 1944, selected Truman for the job of seventh 
grade teacher.
  While renting a place on Avenida Pelayo, Truman continued for five 
years to teach at Las Palmas School where he worked for $180 a month. 
Truman Benedict became Principal of Las Palmas School, and in 1956 was 
named Superintendent of the San Clemente Elementary School District, 
which included Las Palmas and Concordia schools.
  In 1965 when the Capistrano Unified School District, encompassing San 
Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Beach and San Clemente, was formed, Truman 
was named Assistant Superintendent in charge of curriculum and the 
certifying of teaching personnel. He eventually became Superintendent, 
then Deputy Superintendent of the district. From there Truman went on 
to serve as a San Clemente City Councilman, City Mayor and member of 
and volunteer for many civic groups.
  Teaching came natural to Truman Benedict. As the smallest person in 
Los Angeles to ever play varsity basketball, Truman expected a lot of 
himself, and said that he was inspired by teachers who expected a lot 
out of him in return. Truman became a teacher because he enjoyed school 
and working with kids. It follows that in his career he was most often 
called upon to handle the older and brightest children.
  In addition to his distinguished career as an educator and public 
servant, Truman is also a patriot; he served four years in the U.S. 
Armed Forces as P38 pilot. He was married to his wife Betty for 45 
years until she passed away. Truman and Betty have two daughters, Sally 
and Nancy, and four grandchildren. The Truman Benedict School is named 
after him and Truman was named the 1990 San Clemente Citizen of the 
Year.
  Truman's tireless passion for community service and education has 
contributed immensely to the betterment of the community of San 
Clemente, California. I am proud to call Truman a fellow community 
member, American and friend. I know that many community members are 
grateful for his service and salute him as he receives the 
``Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award.''

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