[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KEITH CLARKE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  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. Keith Clarke is one of these individuals. On April 16, 
2009, Keith will retire as the Director of the Building Department for 
the City of Corona.
  Keith graduated from Pacifica High School in 1973 and obtained his 
Associates Degree in Engineering from Cypress Junior College in 1976. 
He attended the University of California at Los Angeles and then 
attended California State University at Long Beach from 1977 to 1979.
  After attending college, Keith became a General Contractor and 
contracted a variety of projects which included masonry structures, 
patio covers and room additions. From 1981 to 1982, Keith worked as a 
Deputy Concrete and Masonry Inspector for Southern California Testing 
Labs where he performed inspections on masonry and concrete structures 
in order to insure compliance with approved plans and structural 
specifications. In 1982, Keith came to the City of Corona and he began 
as a Building Inspector. He quickly rose up the ranks: he became a 
Senior Building Inspector in 1984, an Assistant Building Official in 
1986, a Building Official/Director in 1989, the Acting Director of 
Parks and Community Services in 2005 and the Building Official/Director 
from October 2005 to March 31, 2009.
  Keith is a member of several organizations, including: the 
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the 
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), the 
International Association of Electrical Inspectors, the International 
Fire Code Institute, Building Officials and Code Administrators, the 
Citrus Belt Chapter of ICBO, and California Building Officials. He also 
serves or has served on the California Building Officials (CALBO) Board 
of Directors, the CALBO State Contractors License Board, the United 
States Navy League, the CALBO State Historical Code Committee, the ICC 
Citrus Belt Chapter, the Toastmasters International, and the Rolling 
Thunder Motorcycle Club and as a Calbo CTI Instructor.
  Keith has received several awards over the years including: Building 
Inspector of the Year; Citrus Belt Chapter ICBO 1986; Building Official 
of the Year; Citrus Belt Chapter ICBO 1988; Toastmasters, Best Table 
Topics Speech Contest 1997; California Building Officials, Building 
Department of the Year, 2003; California Building Officials, Building 
Official of the Year, 2004; and California Building Officials, Hall of 
Fame Award, 2009.
  Keith's tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the community of Corona, California. I 
am proud to call Keith a fellow community member, American and friend. 
I know that many community members are grateful for his service and 
salute him and his 27 years of service to the City of Corona.

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