[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         HONORING DARIUS ASSEMI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2018

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor Darius 
Assemi, a home builder, businessman, philanthropist, and Central Valley 
resident of more than 40 years. Darius has been a close friend and 
confidant for many years, including my time in the State Senate and 
here in the United States House of Representatives.
  Darius is currently President and CEO of Granville Homes, a real 
estate development company established in 1977. Over the last 40 years, 
Granville Homes has built more than 6,000 single-family residences in 
the Fresno metropolitan area, and has been involved in the acquisition, 
financing, and development of over 100 construction projects. Through 
these experiences, Darius's knowledge of building codes and resilient 
construction has been an important influence on me as I have pursued 
disaster mitigation policies.
  Darius is actively engaged in public policy work at the local and 
state level. He is passionate about legislation that affects 
transportation, agriculture, health care, education, and the 
environment. In 2009, Darius was appointed to the California 
Transportation Commission by Governor Schwarzenegger, and reappointed 
by Governor Brown in 2012. During his 6-year term, Darius was actively 
engaged with legislators and key stake holders in securing much-needed 
transportation funding for the Central Valley. In addition to public 
policy, Darius is driven to educate his fellow citizens about the 
complex issues that affect everyone in the community.
  The lack of health care options available in the Central Valley and 
across the world is an issue that Darius and I have focused much of our 
time on. In 2009, he helped to establish the Alliance for Medical 
Outreach and Relief (AMOR), a non-profit with a mission to build 
healthier communities. AMOR constructed and continues to operate a 100-
bed hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan that provides medical services and 
health education to over 80,000 people annually. High amongst Afshar 
Hospital's key accomplishments is their success in reducing the 
maternal and infant mortality rates in the Kabul metro area. In 
addition to their work in Afghanistan, AMOR is in the process of 
building a wellness clinic and community resource center to serve the 
impoverished Central Valley farming community of Mendota.
  Darius views his various business endeavors as vehicles to further 
his true passion: helping to improve the lives of those in the 
community and around the world through strategic partnerships and 
philanthropic giving. The Granville Foundation's mission is to provide 
food, shelter, healthcare, and education to the underserved. In 2006, 
Darius initiated the Granville Home of Hope, a program in which a new 
home is raffled off, with 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales 
given to local non-profits. Over the last 12 years, the Granville Home 
of Hope has raised more than $5.2 million dollars, providing food, 
clothing, scholarships, and resources to those in need. In addition to 
Home of Hope, the Granville Foundation provides support to various 
organizations--in 2017 alone the foundation sponsored more than 70 non-
profits.
  I am proud to call Darius a friend and I am grateful for hi s 
companionship throughout my years in public service. Mr. Speaker, 
please join me in honoring and commending Darius Assemi for his 
outstanding contributions to the Central Valley, our state, and nation.

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