[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO RIVERSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR GORDON 
                                 BOURNS

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                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2012

  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. Gordon Bourns is one of these 
individuals. On March 28, 2012, Gordon will receive a prestigious honor 
when the Riverside Chamber of Commerce names him the 2011 Citizen of 
the Year at the organization's annual awards and installation dinner.
  Gordon Bourns joined Bourns, Inc. in 1973 and has managed various 
business units and operations within the company since that time. He 
was elected Chairman of the Board in December 1988 by the company's 
Board of Directors, and was also elected President in 1990.
  Mr. Bourns now serves as the company's Chairman of the Board and 
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bourns heads a worldwide electronics 
corporation, which manufactures more than 3,000 different products at 
12 domestic and international facilities, with over 4,000 employees 
worldwide. Mr. Bourns is the son of the cofounders of Bourns, Inc., 
Marian and Rosemary Bourns.
  Mr. Bourns represented Bourns, Inc. in 1994 when the Corporation 
received the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award from 
Inc' Magazine. Mr. Bourns currently focuses much of his 
attention on strategic planning to accomplish the company's strategic 
plans, which will double the sales and profits of Bourns over a five-
year period. Mr. Bourns has led the Bourns commitment through the Six 
Sigma and Bourns Production System quality process to assure the 
company meets or exceeds customer requirements and specifications, 
while anticipating future needs through the continuous improvement of 
people, processes, products and services.
  Mr. Bourns has been an active participant in community affairs. He is 
a member of the Board of Directors for the UCR Foundation and is the 
past chairman of that board. He serves as Chairman of the Board of 
Advisors for the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering at 
UC Riverside and as Chairman of the Board of Visitors at California 
Baptist University. He is also Chief Financial Officer of the School 
Board for the Woodcrest Christian School System. Mr. Bourns, an Eagle 
Scout, is a past recipient of the Inland Empire Boy Scouts 
Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.
  In light of all Gordon Bourns has done for the community of 
Riverside, the Riverside Chamber of Commerce named Gordon their Citizen 
of the Year. Gordon's tireless passion for community service has 
contributed immensely to the betterment of the community of Riverside, 
California. He has been the heart and soul of many community 
organizations and events and I am proud to call him a fellow community 
member, American and friend. I know that many community members are 
grateful for his service and salute him as he receives this prestigious 
award.

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