[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 126 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING TOM AND DAVE SCHOETTLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate Tom and Dave Schoettler upon being named by the Madera 
District Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award 
Honorees. They will be recognized on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the 
Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Installation Dinner.
  Tom was born in Glendale, California and Dave was born in Fresno, 
California to Hal and Loretta Schoettler. They are two of six children; 
they were business partners, allies and friends. They both attended 
Madera High School and participated in athletics; Tom graduated in 1950 
and Dave graduated in 1951.
  During high school Tom began working for his father at Schoettler 
Tire; this is where he met his future wife, Ila. He joined the United 
States Navy after high school and was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Tom 
was recognized with the Honor Man of Unit Award while in the Navy. He 
served as a Dental Technician and considered a dental career; however 
when he exited the Navy, his father needed him at the store. Tom went 
back to work at Schoettler Tire and is still working there today.
  After high school, Dave attended the University of California, 
Berkley. He received a Bachelor' Degree in Business and was a member of 
the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Dave married his wife, Dwynn and 
he entered the United States Air Force. He served as Captain of the B-
47 Bomber squadron. Dave and Dwynn were stationed in Homestead, 
Florida. Upon fulfilling his duty with the Air Force, he returned to 
central California to own and operate a tire business in Coalinga and 
on the central coast.
  In 1974 Tom and Dave became partners in Schoettler Tire of Madera. 
The business, currently in the third generation on family partnership, 
has changed locations a few times but it is still family owned and 
operated. Dave and Tom operated Schoettler Tire for thirty-four years 
focusing on the values that were instilled in them by their father: 
integrity, honesty and loyalty. These values led Schoettler Tire to not 
only be the largest tire company in the area, but a leader in the 
industry for excellence in customer service.
  Tom and Dave have been active in the community. Tom is a member of 
the American Legion, Italian American Club, St. Joachim's Church, Boy 
Scouts and the Knights of Columbus, where he served as Grand Knight. 
For his service he has been recognized by Heartland Opportunity. Dave 
served on the National Board of Tire Companies, was a member of Madera 
Elks, served as President of Phi Kappa Tau and was an alumnus of UC 
Berkley. Schoettler Tire actively supports and is a member of the 
Madera Chamber of Commerce and has received numerous awards in the tire 
industry for sales and customer service. Beyond the time that both men 
have given to the community, they have also both been financially 
generous to many local clubs and organizations.
  Tom and Ila have been married for fifty-six years. They have five 
sons, twenty grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Dave and Dwynn 
had been married for fifty years when Dave passed away in 2008. They 
have two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Tom and Dave 
Schoettler upon being honored as the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 
Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. I invite my colleagues to join me 
in wishing Tom and Dave's family many years of continued success.

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