[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11202-11203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING HUGH RALSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
Hugh J. Ralston, a remarkable visionary and steadfast leader whose 
commitment to the success of his community and the growth of 
philanthropy are immeasurable.
  With over a decade of service as the Ventura County Community 
Foundation's (VCCF) President and Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Ralston 
oversaw the foundation increase its assets by one million dollars. This 
growth in resources included the purchase of the VCCF nonprofit center, 
the expansion of irrevocable planned donations and philanthropic 
contributions throughout the community, and a tenfold increase in its 
annual scholarship support that have benefitted hundreds of Ventura 
County students. With an annual distribution amount of $1.3 million, 
VCCF plays an incredible supportive role for our region's students and 
nonprofit organizations.
  It is powerhouse foundations like the Ventura County Community 
Foundation that empower the greatest efforts for change and benefits 
that spread all across our community and nation. The work that VCCF has 
done, with Hugh Ralston at the helm, has been duly recognized as being 
in compliance with national standards, the highest form of peer review 
for U.S. Community Foundations and the only form of accreditation 
within the U.S. Philanthropic community.
  In the past decade, Hugh has secured partnerships with prominent 
local organizations

[[Page 11203]]

which support veterans, farmworkers, social justice advocates, medical 
students, professionals, and many other communal groups. During his 
time as the head of the VCCF, Hugh established the annual Community 
Leaders Awards and the biennial President's Awards which create 
networks and recognition for Ventura County leaders who do countless 
work with their nonprofits.
  Community leaders like Hugh exemplify Ventura County's unsurpassed 
leadership. Although Hugh will be stepping down from his position as 
President and CEO of Ventura County Community Foundation, his legacy at 
VCCF and his immense impact on the community will continue to inspire 
the future of nonprofits and local philanthropy.
  Hugh Ralston has been an amazing force in our region. The efforts 
that he has made for students, non-profit organizations, and the 
working community have ensured a remarkable investment in the future 
and deserve an innumerable level of gratitude.
  I graciously thank Hugh for his unwavering commitment and dedication 
for the past 11 years as the President and CEO of the Ventura County 
Community Foundation. It has been my honor to collaborate and work with 
Hugh and there is no doubt in my mind that his influence will extend to 
many generations of community engagement and philanthropy.

                          ____________________