[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO PETE P. PETERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of one of 
our Nation's most principled and generous business leaders, Mr. Pete P. 
Peters. Sadly, Mr. Peters passed away on March 13, 2012 at the age of 
94. His remarkable impact on California's San Joaquin Valley will 
ensure that his legacy lives on for years to come.
  The son of Armenian immigrants, Pete was truly a shining example of 
the American Dream. With hard work and perseverance, he and his family 
were able to become business leaders and generous community 
benefactors.
  Mr. Peters, and his brother Leon, were both notable entrepreneurs; he 
was a self-trained engineer who pioneered a design for a stainless 
steel circular tanks that have been used for decades by winemakers 
worldwide. His innovative spirit and passion allowed the brothers to 
run Valley Foundry and Machine Works as a family operation.
  Upon his retirement in 1989, Mr. Peters immersed himself in our 
community and was active in a number of organizations. He oversaw the 
Leon S. Peters Foundation and served as chairman of the Pete P. Peters 
Foundation. While he did not have the opportunity to go to college, Mr. 
Peters was an ardent advocate for higher education and felt it was 
necessary for young Americans have the opportunity to go to college, 
regardless of their financial circumstances. As a result, he was an 
enthusiastic supporter of colleges and universities in the San Joaquin 
Valley, including: California State University, Fresno (CSU Fresno), 
Fresno City College, and Reedley College.
  Mr. Peters was also a supporter of Community Regional Medical Center, 
Valley Public Television, the San Joaquin River Parkway and 
Conservation Trust, and the San Joaquin Valley Winemaking Association. 
His numerous gifts to our Valley enhanced thousands of lives.
  Recognizing his immense contributions to the San Joaquin Valley, 
California, and our Nation, CSU Fresno conferred on him an honorary 
doctoral degree--the CSU's highest honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life 
of Mr. Pete P. Peters. His humility and unwavering commitment to the 
improvement of our community not only made him an asset to the San 
Joaquin Valley, but a role model for our entire Nation.

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