[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23396]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO WALTER T. McDONALD, PRESIDENT-ELECT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF 
                                REALTORS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
Walter McDonald, President-Elect of the National Association of 
Realtors (NAR). NAR is America's largest trade association, 
representing more than 840,000 members involved in all aspects of the 
residential and commercial real estate industries. Walter has 
demonstrated his commitment to Realtor issues and willingness to devote 
his time and expertise towards furthering the priorities of Realtors 
nationwide.
  Walter has been a Realtor since 1964 and is the broker-owner of Walt 
McDonald Real Estate, a single-office, independent firm specializing in 
property sales, leasing and lending. He holds the professional 
designations of Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate, Realtor 
Institute.
  Currently, Walter serves as a NAR director and has been particularly 
active in legislative, finance and housing issues. From 1996 through 
1998, he served on NAR's Executive Committee. In 1998, he took over as 
Regional Vice President for NAR, representing the states of California, 
Hawaii and Guam. He also serves on the association's Leadership Team 
and Executive Committee. He served as NAR's First Vice President in 
2002.
  Walter has also been active at the state and local levels of the 
Realtor Organization. In 1993, he served as President of the California 
Association of Realtors (CAR), one of the nation's largest state trade 
organizations with more than 95,000 members. He has served on CAR's 
board of directors since 1971 and also served as Chairman of the board 
of Real Estate Business Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CAR. Walter 
also has been President of the Riverside/Moreno Valley Association of 
Realtors and President of the Riverside County Real Estate Council.
  In addition to his numerous professional involvements, Walter is also 
dedicated to his community as well. Walter has served on the advisory 
boards of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, the Riverside 
National Bank and he is currently serving a 2-year term on the advisory 
board for Fannie Mae. He also served on the California Department of 
Real Estate Advisory Commission through 1998, under an appointment by 
the state's governor.
  Walter's long list of accomplishments demonstrates why he is ideal 
for the position of President of the National Association of Realtors. 
His tireless passion for the real estate industry and his community has 
contributed immensely to the betterment of Riverside County, 
California, and our Nation. I congratulate him and wish him the best of 
luck on his future endeavors as President.

                          ____________________