[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 135 (Friday, August 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E769-E770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERT FERNANDES PERRY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 11, 2023

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert 
Perry, whose commitment to education has left an indelible mark in his 
community and the greater San Joaquin Valley.
  Born on December 11, 1938, Robert inherited the Portuguese work 
ethic, ingenuity, and

[[Page E770]]

family devotion from his Pereira lineage. These values aligned well 
with his American upbringing as Bob seized his opportunities and became 
the man, we all knew and loved, one who devoted his life to God, family 
and nature.
  Just one year after wedding the love of his life, Shirley, Bob was 
called to service in the U.S. Army in 1959. Upon being Honorably 
Discharged as a Private 1st Class, Robert and Shirley decided to settle 
in Hanford, CA so Shirley's mother could help her take care of their 
two sons, Mark and Mike.
  After working as a machinist, Bob eventually moved the family to a 
tight-knit community in Three Rivers where the landscape fed his 
passion for nature. His love for the outdoors was evident in his 
pursuits of hunting, fishing, and boating. He found solace in the 
beauty of the world around him, and his observations of life and human 
behavior enriched the lives of those who had the privilege of knowing 
him.
  This environment also fostered Bob and Shirley's dream of starting 
their own business--a school that would teach Medical Assisting, 
drawing from Shirley's training and work experience. Seeing the 
opportunity in the growing city of Visalia, Bob and Shirley risked 
everything they had to launch San Joaquin Valley College in 1977. With 
the help of three Medical Assisting program students, Bob ran the 
business operations and Shirley handled the curriculum, instruction and 
stability of the MA program. Teenagers Mike and Mark started out as 
school janitors this family of four ignited an unimagined trajectory of 
success.
  Soon enough, their high hopes became promising returns as SJVC 
expanded to three cities before Bob and Shirley passed the reins to 
Mark and Mike in 1995. Under their new leadership and Bob's diligence 
on the Board of Directors, SNC has since become a renown private 
university with 18 campuses across California. To this day, almost a 
quarter-million graduates have received medical, business and technical 
education from SJVC with another 12,000 students currently pursuing 
their own education goals thanks to Bob and Shirley's dream
  Bob's legacy is one shared with family, but his qualities as an 
individual were uniquely his own. Beyond his professional 
accomplishments, Bob possessed an artistic spirit and a keen eye for 
beauty. He was a master woodcrafter, turning raw materials into 
intricate works of functional art. His creations were a testament to 
his attention to detail and the love he poured into each piece. Bob's 
talent as a storyteller delighted those around him, as he shared his 
adventures in hunting, fishing, and exploring, leaving cherished 
memories for all who knew him.
  In his community, Bob will be remembered not only as a successful 
entrepreneur and educator but also as a compassionate and caring 
individual. He touched the lives of many with his kindness, warmth, and 
willingness to lend a helping hand.
  Bob has finally reunited with he and Shirley's third-born son 
Timothy. Still, he is survived by his life's love, Shirley, their sons 
Mike and Mark, five grandchildren: Joshua, Kristopher, Stephanie, 
Alyssa and Aaron, and four great grandchildren: Savvy, Noam, Eva and 
Clover and nephew, Steve Perry.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
lifelong contributions of Robert Fernandes Perry to his family, 
community, and the field of education. May his story serve as an 
inspiration to us all.

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