[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 170 (Friday, October 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1391-E1392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF ALEX SPANOS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2018

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Alexander 
Gus Spanos, who passed away at the age of 95 this week.
  A native Californian, Alex was well known for his skillful business 
acumen and his generous philanthropy. He is perhaps best known for 
founding one of the largest apartment developers in the United States, 
A.G. Spanos Companies, as well as serving as the owner of the Chargers 
NFL Franchise.
  Born the son of Greek immigrants in Stockton, California in 1923, 
Alex's tireless work ethic and boldness was instilled in him at a very 
young age, when he began working in his father's bakery at the age of 
eight. A tough upbringing coupled with the unshakeable belief that he 
could accomplish anything he set his mind to continuously drove Alex to 
succeed and overcome countless obstacles.

[[Page E1392]]

  Alex was a proud American who truly lived the American Dream and 
loved the country that enabled him to live it. When World War II broke 
out, Alex left college to join the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served 
as a B-29 tail gunner. After the war, Alex returned to school and 
earned varsity letters in both swimming and diving at the College of 
the Pacific in Stockton.
  In 1951, Alex started a small business selling sandwiches to migrant 
workers in the San Joaquin Valley. Four years after starting this 
business, Alex made his first million dollars and began investing his 
earnings in real estate and started to build apartments. In 1960, he 
founded A.G. Spanos Companies that, within the following two decades, 
became the largest apartment builder in the United States.
  Always an enthusiast for sports and athletic activity, Alex fulfilled 
one of his lifelong goals in 1984, when he purchased the San Diego 
Chargers. One his most memorable moments as the owner of the Chargers 
was watching them defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Super Bowl 
XXIX in 1995.
  Being equally passionate about the Chargers franchise's impact off 
the field, Alex created and funded community outreach programs like the 
Chargers Community Foundation, that continues to exist, supporting 
numerous critical causes, individuals in need, and organizations that 
benefit the Southern California community.
  Alex was a creative entrepreneur, who also knew how to conduct 
business the right way, firmly establishing an honest and forthright 
reputation in both his personal and professional relationships. For 
many years, I had the honor and privilege of knowing Alex and his 
beloved wife Faye, who also passed away earlier this year. He was 
always the consummate gentleman, who consistently worked to give back 
to the country that had given him so much and I was always grateful for 
his counsel and friendship.
  Alex Spanos was a beloved pillar of our California community and will 
be greatly missed, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on for many 
generations to come. With his passing, Mr. Speaker, please join me in 
honoring the legacy of this exemplary citizen and proud patriot, who 
lived a life that should serve as an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________