[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5565]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF JOHN WALLACE

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2017

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, Mr. 
Nunes and Mr. Valadao, to honor the life of one of Fresno's greatest 
journalists, John Wallace, who passed away on March 27, 2017 at the age 
of 71. John was a kind, generous, and humble man who kept the Valley 
informed on current events as a TV news anchor for more than 40 years.
  Before his career as a TV anchor, John played baseball at the 
University of Arizona in the early 1960's, followed by his service in 
the United States Marine Corps. He began his broadcast and journalism 
career in 1969, joining the news staff at KYNO radio in Fresno. In 
1975, he became a TV news anchor at ABC30 (KFSN) until 1987, when he 
joined CBS47 (KGPE) as an anchor for the evening news.
  In addition to his journalism career, John's love for sports was a 
large part of his life. He was the public address announcer for the 
California League's Fresno Giants baseball team. He served on the board 
of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame, was president of the Fresno State 
Timeout Club, and spent four decades working with the Bulldog 
Foundation at Fresno State, serving as President and Chairman of the 
Board of Trustees. In 2014, he received the Harold S. Zinkin, Sr. Award 
by the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions, and was 
inducted into the Clovis Centennial Hall of Fame.
  John was a loyal community supporter who championed for local 
organizations. He was a friend and an inspiration to many, and had a 
contagious enthusiasm for life. He was very active in the community, 
serving on the board of the WestCare Foundation and volunteering with 
Break the Barriers and Valley Children's Hospital.
  John will be missed greatly by his family, friends, and the entire 
community. He is survived by his wife Cheri; children Cass Dilfer, 
Cameron Weishaar, Paige Wise, Carson Franzman, Taylor Franzman; and 
eight grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues to 
join Mr. Nunes, Mr. Valadao and me in paying tribute to the life and 
service of John Wallace, whose curiosity for recent events and passion 
for the community kept the Valley informed on our nation's news for 
more than four decades. I join the Fresno community in honoring his 
life and his passion for making a difference. He will be greatly 
missed.

                          ____________________