[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 15 (Friday, February 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E80-E81]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LEADERSHIP TURLOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 1, 2013

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor 
Leadership Turlock, as they celebrate 20 years of leadership education 
in the Central Valley.

[[Page E81]]

  Leadership Turlock was established in 1993 by founding member, Sharon 
Silva. The program was formed through the Turlock Chamber of Commerce 
to identify new potential Turlock leaders and to provide a ten-month 
program that would develop knowledge and understanding of the 
community.
  Leadership Turlock has turned out graduates such as Assemblywoman 
Kristen Olsen, City Attorney Phaedra Norton, Former Councilwoman 
Beverly Hatcher, Former Councilman Marty Yerby, Former Councilmember 
Kurt Vander Weide, School Board Member Josh Bernard, and Police Chief 
Robert Jackson--to name a few. Some of the community efforts and 
accomplishments include building tiles at the Donnelly Park Play 
Ground; construction improvements for a regional sports facility; 
refurbishing a picnic area at Donnelly Park; installing a pad, grills, 
picnic tables, and a trash receptacle at Centennial Park; refurbishing 
a room at the Salvation Army into an afterschool learning center; 
renovating and designing a reception area for the Turlock Pregnancy 
Center; and providing furniture, paint, a flat-screen television, and 
$2,000 dollars in supplies for the Emanuel Cancer Center.
  Through participation in the program, members have an opportunity to 
connect, discuss, and exchange ideas with each other and current 
community leaders and to motivate and build strong-minded thinkers to 
assume leadership roles in our community.
  Leadership Turlock is building our future and celebrating our past, 
and it fosters a sincere commitment, motivation, and interest in 
serving the community. During the ten-month program, members expand 
their understanding of Turlock and Stanislaus County through exposure 
to community issues many may not have otherwise had the opportunity to 
explore. At the same time, members can enhance their leadership and 
management skills and develop close relationships and mutual concerns 
with other classmates.
  Even in a fragile economy, the Leadership Turlock Program continues 
to inspire public and private sector interest and participation. One of 
the key successes to the longevity of the Leadership Turlock Program is 
the program's personnel infrastructure--led by a committed group of 
Steering Committee and Day-Chair members. Each Committee member has a 
direct connection with one of the day topic planning teams. This direct 
connection enables the program to move quickly when mobilizing and 
responding to challenges and changes.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Leadership Turlock for 20 
years of delivered premier leadership training for the Turlock 
community. Leadership Turlock is proud of its 310 graduates who 
continue to lead in business and industry, elected offices, and non-
profit volunteer boards and organizations.

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