[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING DARIUS ASSEMI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 22, 2013

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Darius Assemi as he 
is honored with the Fresno State Alumni Association's Top Dog 
Distinguished Alumnus Award. Darius is well deserving of this award as 
he has contributed so much to the City of Fresno and our entire Central 
Valley.
  Darius immigrated to the United States from Iran almost 40 years ago. 
He graduated with honors from California State University, Fresno in 
1983 with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation, he served as 
vice president of Granville Homes up until 2009 when he became 
president. Granville Homes is a local business that is family-owned and 
operated.
  Fresno has benefitted in so many ways from the efforts made by 
Darius. Granville's developments are spread throughout the city. They 
provide housing to individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and socio-
economic backgrounds. For over 30 years, Darius has stood behind 
Granville's mission ``to improve the well-being of people in our 
community'' and promote ``positive change in the lives of people in the 
Central Valley.'' For the past eight years, Darius has hosted a ``Home 
of Hope'' fundraiser. Participants buy one hundred dollar raffle 
tickets with the possibility of winning a new home. All of the proceeds 
from the raffle tickets are donated to local non-profits around the 
Central Valley. Since 2006, over 2.4 million dollars has been raised. 
The donations provide shelter, healthcare, education, and food to 
thousands of individuals.
  Darius plays a big role in the city's effort to revitalize downtown 
Fresno. Granville has completed four housing projects downtown, and two 
more projects are in the works. As a result, over 500 individuals have 
moved to the area. Residents are making contributions to downtown 
Fresno that will have a lasting impact on the city's entire economy.
  In addition to his work at Granville Homes, Darius is the chair of 
American Medical Overseas Relief (AMOR). AMOR is a non-profit 
organization that is improving the health of thousands of women and 
children in Afghanistan. In 2009, the Afshar Hospital in Kabul, 
Afghanistan was built due to funding from AMOR. The 100 bed hospital 
serves more than 3,500 patients a month.
  Darius also sits on several other boards including the California 
Transportation Commission, the California Health Sciences University, 
the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, and the Fresno Chamber of 
Commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to recognize Darius Assemi for his commitment 
to ensuring that the City of Fresno continues to prosper and thrive.

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