[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E895-E896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING PETER BLACKSTOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2020

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career 
achievements and community dedication of Peter Blackstock, a prominent 
businessman, community steward, and philanthropist who has called the 
central coast of California his home for nearly 40 years.
  Peter Blackstock was born on the East Coast and served in the Army as 
an officer in Vietnam before working for the Ford Motor Company. In 
1982, Peter moved to the Central Coast and purchased the Leslie Motors 
Toyota dealership in Seaside and renamed it Victory Toyota. Later, he 
opened Lexus Monterey Peninsula, forming Victory Dealership Group.
  During his time as owner of Victory Dealership Group, Peter was a 
significant supporter of the automobile dealer community. He advocated 
for and actively contributed to industry priorities as a member of the 
American International Automobile Dealers Association's board of 
directors, President of the California New Car Dealers Association, and 
a director on the board of the National Automobile Dealers Association. 
He also set the bar for dealerships across the country when Victory 
Toyota was LEED certified for environmental responsibility in 2014. As 
a businessman, Peter is held in high esteem by all he worked with for 
his personal integrity, thoughtful contributions, professional 
demeanor, and engaging personality.
  Peter is an especially involved member of his community on the 
Central Coast. He has secured resources for and served in many roles in 
countless organizations, including the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of 
Commerce, Boy Scouts, Monterey Bay Symphony, Monterey Museum of Art, 
Make a Wish Foundation, AIM Youth Mental Health, Pac Rep Theatre 
Groups, SPCA, AT&T Junior Golf, Church

[[Page E896]]

in the Forest, Hospice Giving, Arthritis Foundation, National WWII 
Museum, Marine Scholarship Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and Rancho 
Cielo. Most notably, he is Director Emeritus of the Boys & Girls Clubs 
of Monterey County, a past President of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance 
instrumental in protections for the California Condor, falcons, and 
other raptors, trustee emeritus of the Naval Postgraduate School 
Foundation, and was Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development Committee 
of the Fort Ord Reuse Committee. He has also served on the Monterey 
County Sheriffs Advisory Council, the task forces of the City of 
Seaside, the boards of All Saints and Stevenson Schools, and as foreman 
pro tempore on the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury.
  As he begins his retirement, I have no doubt that Peter will continue 
to find myriad ways to support his community and cherish his time with 
his beloved wife, Barbara, and his daughter, son-in-law, and three 
grandchildren, who are triplets. We, as a community, are grateful for 
his contributions to the Central Coast and celebrate his successful 
career.

                          ____________________