[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 22 (Monday, February 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E133-E134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE OF CHUCK HANSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2018

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
service of a truly great American, Mr. Charles ``Chuck'' Hansen of El 
Cajon, California. Chuck was a highly regarded and devoted civic leader 
whose name was synonymous with East San Diego County.
   Born in New York, Chuck served our nation by enlisting in the U.S. 
Navy before having a successful business career that included the New 
York Telephone Company, Avis Rental Car, and eventually Pacific 
Southwest Airlines, which brought him to San Diego. Chuck and his 
family made El Cajon their home where he would serve for decades with 
many local business and service organizations that helped make East 
County what it is today.
   Chuck's leadership with the San Diego East County Chamber of 
Commerce was instrumental in the Chamber becoming a thriving economic 
resource. He helped establish the San Diego East Visitors Bureau and 
chaired the San Diego County Tourism marketing program bringing much-
deserved attention to East County to the tourism market that floods the 
San Diego region every year. At the same time, Chuck was serving as the 
Vice President of community relations for the Viejas Band of the 
Kumeyaay Indians, witnessing the economic and influential growth of a 
tribe that has long been an important part of our community. It was 
with Viejas that Chuck was able to help with a cause near and dear to 
Chuck's heart, Stoney's Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to 
the under-privileged children of East County.
   While East County was Chuck's primary focus, he was always looking 
for opportunities to bring new opportunities to the entire region. It 
was for this reason that Chuck served as Director of the Americas Cup 
Task Force in San

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Diego where he was instrumental in bringing one of Americas most 
cherished and prestigious events to Americas Greatest City. Chuck also 
served on the board for the Holiday Bowl Committee, the San Diego 
Convention and Visitors Bureau and the USS Midway Museum.
   This work, along with his service to St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, 
the Olaf Weighorst Museum, the Salvation Army and the Mother Goose 
Parade Committee, led to Chuck being named the 2015 El Cajon Citizen of 
the Year, an honor very much deserved. The editor of one of our local 
newspapers, the East County Herald, spoke for many when she asked, how 
do we say goodbye to a person we considered a mentor, a collaborator, a 
friend? A man dedicated to our community, and one who worked tirelessly 
to improve the lives of all those around him, the loss of Chuck is felt 
throughout my district and he will truly be missed.
   My best to Chuck's wife of 59 years, Dotty, as well as their four 
children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, with two 
more on the way. We are all blessed to have known Chuck, to work with 
Chuck and our community is definitely better for having had him as part 
of our East County family.

                          ____________________