[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14117]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MAURICE A. CALDERON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual whose dedication and contributions to the Inland Empire 
in California are exceptional. The Inland Empire has been fortunate to 
have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly and 
unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a 
better place to live and work. Maurice Calderon is one of these 
individuals. On June 27, 2008, there will be a ceremony for Maurice as 
he retires from the position of vice president of minority development 
at Arrowhead Credit Union in San Bernardino, California.
  Born and raised in Banning, California, Maurice learned the rich 
traditions and values of his Hispanic heritage and has used those 
lessons throughout his professional life. This treasured background 
guided Mr. Calderon in his unwavering commitment of professional and 
public service to the people of the Inland Empire. An elected school 
board member for 9 years in Banning, followed by an elective seat as a 
Mount San Jacinto Community College district trustee for another 9 
years, Mr. Calderon was in the wonderful position of public service.
  Maurice is an active member of numerous business, education, and 
community groups. He is a member of both the Inland Empire Hispanic, 
and African American, Chambers of Commerce. He is a member of the board 
of trustees of the University of California, Riverside Foundation, and 
the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation. Maurice is also a 
director for the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, president of 
Sinfonia Mexicana and chairman of the Inland Empire Hispanic Leadership 
Council.
  Maurice has been honored to receive many awards from community and 
service groups over the years including ``Father of the Year'' from the 
city of Banning. He has also received ``Citizen of the Year'' from the 
city of Beaumont and Phi Delta Kappa, Riverside. Maurice was named the 
inaugural ``Hispanic of the Year'' and ``Influential Latino of the 
Year'' in 1998 by the Inland Empire Hispanic Chamber, and Hispanic 
Lifestyle Magazine, respectively. Mr. Calderon was also named 
``Influential Latino of the Year'' and was a distinguished medal 
recipient for the Northside Impact Committee of Redlands in 1996. 
Maurice was also the inaugural recipient of the California Credit Union 
League Diversity Award, and was named to the Southern California Native 
American and Latino Hall of Fame. In April of 2004, Maurice was honored 
as the recipient of the 2004 Reconocimiento Ohtli Award, an award given 
by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which recognizes those who 
have proven their excellence, are role models for the society, and have 
contributed most successfully to the well-being of the communities of 
Mexican origin in the United States. Maurice was awarded the Black Rose 
Award for 2004 from the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation for his 
dedication and service to the community. On September 1, 2005, the city 
of Banning acknowledged Maurice Calderon and the entire Calderon family 
for over 100 years of community service by naming a street Calderon Way 
in their honor. In November of 2005, Maurice received the California 
Credit Union League PAC 2005 Advocate of the Year Award during the 
League's annual meeting in Anaheim, California. In 2008 Maurice 
received the Sinfonia Mexicana Award for Service for serving as 
president from 2001 to 2008. In May of 2008 Maurice received the 
Esperanza Award from the California Chicano News Media Association.
  Mr. Calderon has received certificates from the University of Georgia 
and Indiana University in savings and loan graduate programs. He also 
received an associate of arts degree from Mount San Jacinto College 
with honors. Married to Dorothy Calderon for 47 wonderful years, 
Maurice has two children and four grandchildren. Maurice's tireless 
passion for community service has contributed immensely to the 
betterment of the Inland Empire. I am proud to call Maurice a fellow 
community member, American and friend. I know that many community 
members are grateful for his service and salute him as he retires.

                          ____________________