[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DEBBI HUFFMAN GUTHRIE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 31, 2011

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Riverside, California are exceptional. Riverside 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. Debbi Guthrie is one of these 
individuals. On March 24, 2011, Debbi will be honored as the ``Citizen 
of the Year'' at the 111th Inaugural Celebration of the Greater 
Riverside Chambers of Commerce.
  Debbi Huffman Guthrie is retired from her 27-year career as the 
third-generation owner of a roofing company established by her 
grandfather in 1921. Since 1993, Debbi has served as a Director with 
Provident Bank, a publicly traded, community bank established in 
Riverside in 1957. Debbi is the current and former member of numerous 
organizations including: member, Riverside Community College District 
Capital Campaign Executive Committee; Chair, Riverside Aquatics Complex 
Fundraising Committee; Chair, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce 
Inaugural Ball Committee; Chair, ATHENA of the Inland Valleys 
Committee; Member, Board of Directors--Greater Riverside Chambers of 
Commerce; Member, Riverside Sport Hall of Fame Induction Celebration 
Committee; Trustee, University of California Riverside Foundation; 
Chair, University of California Riverside A. Gary Anderson Graduate 
School of Management Dean's Leadership Council; Chairwoman, Greater 
Riverside Chambers of Commerce; Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee 
and Leadership Riverside Program, Greater Riverside Chambers of 
Commerce; President and Member, Kiwanis Club of Riverside; President, 
Riverside Community College District Foundation; State Director, ATHENA 
Foundation; March Air Force Base Military Affairs Committee (Honorary 
Commander's Program); Inland Empire Council Boy Scouts of America, 
Distinguished Citizens Committee; and Junior League of Riverside.
  Debbi is the recipient of many awards including: the 2010 Riverside 
YWCA Irene Bonnett Volunteer of the Year; the 2010 Riverside Downtown 
Partnership Roy Hord ``Volunteer of the Year''; the 2003 Association of 
Agency Executives, Spirit of the Non-Profit Award; the 2003 Gold Key 
Award, Soroptimist Club; the 2001 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished 
Citizen Award; the Riverside Community College Inaugural Community 
Service Award; the 2001 Kiwanis International George Hixson Fellowship 
Award; the 2001 President's Award, Greater Riverside Chambers of 
Commerce; the 2000 Management Leader of the Year, Private Sector, UC 
Riverside A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management; and the 1999-
2000 Volunteer of the Year, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.
  In addition to her continued involvement with Provident Bank and her 
volunteer commitments in Riverside, Debbi now lives part-time in 
southern Utah where she takes pride in working with her husband to 
manage their 1300-acre ranch. She enjoys being with her family, 
horseback riding, house-boating on Lake Powell, hikes in Zion National 
Park and international travel with friends. Debbi is a native of 
Riverside and attended Ramona High School and California State 
University, San Bernardino. Debbi and her husband, Jim, have four adult 
daughters and four grandchildren.
  In light of all Debbi has done for the community of Riverside, the 
Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce named Debbi their Citizen of the 
Year. Debbi's tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the community of Riverside, California. 
She has been the heart and soul of many community organizations and 
events and I am proud to call her a fellow community member, American 
and friend. I know that many community members are grateful for her 
service and salute her as she receives this prestigious award.