[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO GREG GALLION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2018

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Greg Gallion on his 
retirement after a long, fruitful career as CEO of Houchin Community 
Blood Bank.
  Greg was born and raised in Bakersfield, completing his education at 
Marymount College in Salina, Kansas. Greg's future in bettering the 
lives of others was foreshadowed when he moved to Albany, New York, to 
work with delinquent children at the St. Francis Homes for Boys and 
Girls. He would make his return home to Bakersfield in 1975, working 
for two years at Three-Way Chevrolet and then an impressive 24 years in 
the title insurance industry. For all of Greg's successes, his greatest 
impact came with his hiring as Houchin Community Blood Bank's Chief 
Executive Officer. As CEO, Greg worked tirelessly for 17 years to help 
local healthcare providers meet the needs of the Kern County community.
  Greg saw nothing but potential in Houchin Community Blood Bank and 
quickly worked to build the company infrastructure and increase the 
scope of Houchin's presence across Kern County. Greg oversaw the 
construction of a new headquarters for Houchin in Bakersfield, doubled 
the number of employees and introduced the use of six-bed buses during 
blood drives. These actions not only helped put more Kern County 
citizens to work, but also increased the accessibility of the blood 
bank as well as better supplied local hospitals. Not content to rest on 
Houchin's laurels, Greg expanded the company's life-saving services, 
collecting and providing blood, plasma, platelets, and other blood 
derivatives. Where some CEOs would be content maintaining a status quo, 
Greg always strove to innovate for the sake of his employees, 
customers, and the community he served.
  More than anything else, Greg will be remembered as a leader who put 
his community first, factoring the wellbeing of his patients and 
clients in every decision he made as CEO. As CEO, he established 
Houchin's slogan, ``people live when people give,'' words that continue 
to inspire thousands across Kern County to donate blood each year. 
Greg's community involvement did not end at his desk, as he maintained 
an impressive community presence, having led as President of 
Bakersfield Downtown Rotary and Director of the Kern County Fair Board, 
as well as active involvement with the Executives Association of Kern 
County and the Kern Advisory Council for Valley Public Radio.
  Greg Gallion departs Houchin Community Blood Bank a stronger and more 
impactful institution than when he joined it. Through his work, Greg 
left an unmistakable impression on our community that I know will be 
felt for years to come. It has been a pleasure getting to know Greg 
over the years both in his official capacity with Houchin and as a 
fellow member of Bakersfield Downtown Rotary. While it is the 
community's loss to see Greg leave Houchin, I know that that he will 
now have the time to enjoy the things he loves most, such as traveling 
with his beloved wife of 38 years, Sheryl. I wish Greg all the best as 
he and his family begins this new chapter of his life.

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