[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 5 (Thursday, January 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF KENNETH KAZUTO TAKEUCHI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 2020

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Mr. Ken Takeuchi, who passed away on December 8, 2019. Ken was the 
beloved voice of the Central Valley's auto racing circuit for over 60 
years.
  Kenneth Kazuto Takeuchi was born on January 27, 1927 in Fresno, 
California. During World War II, Ken and his family were ordered into 
internment camps in Jerome, Arkansas. Shortly after, Ken and his five 
brothers were drafted into the military and served their country during 
the war. Eventually, the family returned to Fresno and their farm. 
After his military service, Ken worked for the Fresno County Parks 
Department, before taking a different course in life.
  Ken was best known as a speedway announcer and organizer of races 
throughout the Central Valley. He got his start in the 1950s at the 
Selma Speedway. His voice graced auto races throughout the state for 
more than 60 years. Ken was so well known, he was inducted into 
numerous halls of fame, including in 1995 the San Jose's Speedway Hall 
of Fame, the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2017, and the Clovis 
Hall of Fame in 2019.
  Ken was also a competitive runner. His passion for running flourished 
in different avenues. He was the founder of the Valley Runner of the 
Year series and the Pro Race Group in Fresno. His goal was always for 
people to come together through running and walking for good causes. In 
the 1980s, he began directing races. Ken also helped found the Shinzen 
Run, which supported the Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden in Fresno, 
a cause that was deeply important to Ken and the community. In his 
later years, he worked with Special Olympics and appreciated his 
friendships with athletes of all ages.
  He is survived by his daughter, Cindy Campbell and her husband Duane; 
brother Leo Takeuchi; sister Erma Aoki; three grandchildren, Lindsay, 
Chelsea, and Ashley Campbell, and his great grandchild, Melody 
Haussmann.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Mr. Ken Takeuchi. His commitment and dedication to the Central Valley 
sporting community left an impact on many. We join his family and 
friends in honoring his great life.

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