E2254 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 19, 2008 

Crocker, Morgan Dall, Laura Thole, Tabatha 

Albers, Andria Lampe, Kalye Boeckmann, 

Maria Gebke, Alison Mueller, Ashley Rakers, 

Nicole Strieker, Samantha Bedard, Kayla 

Eversgerd, Alyssa Hitpas, Brooke Schulte, and 

Abbey Winter—on their success. 

I wish the Knights continued success for 

seasons to come! 

f 

HONORING SATOSHI HIRAYAMA 

HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today, along with Congressman NUNES, to 

congratulate Satoshi ‘‘Fibber’’ Hirayama upon 

the opening and dedication of the newest 

gymnasium in Clovis Unified School District. 

Mr. Hirayama will be honored at a dedication 

ceremony on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 

Gateway High School. 

Mr. Hirayama was raised in the Central San 

Joaquin Valley on a farm. At the age of twelve 

he began to play competitive sports, mostly 

football and baseball. These skills were developed even further when his family, along with 

thousands of other Japanese-Americans, was 

relocated to an Internment Camp in Arizona 

during World War II. While in the camp an organized baseball league began with 32 teams. 

The competitive nature of the games is where 

his baseball skills became refined. 

When the war ended, Mr. Hirayama and his 

family returned to the San Joaquin Valley. He 

completed high school and received a scholarship to play baseball at Fresno State College. 

While at Fresno State he lettered in football 

and baseball. He lead the baseball team with 

seventy-six stolen bases in a season and five 

stolen bases in one game, this record stood 

for over forty years. After college he was 

picked up by the Stockton Ports in the Pacific 

Coast League, a farm team for the St. Louis 

Browns. Mr. Hirayama was the first JapaneseAmerican from Fresno to play professional 

baseball. After one year in the league he was 

called to serve for the U.S. military. From 

1953 to 1955, Mr. Hirayama served as a soldier at Fort Ord and continued to play baseball 

with fellow soldiers on base. 

Upon being discharged from the military he 

signed with the Hiroshima Carp in the Japanese Baseball League. He and a fellow teammate, Kenshi Zenimura, were incredibly popular; over 100,000 fans showed up at the Hiroshima train station to greet the players upon 

their arrival to Japan. Mr. Hirayama became a 

two-time All Star and competed in the Japanese-Major League Baseball All Star games 

against legends, such as Mickey Mantel, 

Whitey Ford, Casey Stengel and Stan Musial. 

After playing in the league for 10 years, he 

returned to California and in 1965 was hired 

as a teacher for Clovis continuation. He became vice principal at the continuation school 

for two periods per day and also taught 5 periods of math at Clovis High School per day. In 

1970 he was promoted to principal of the continuation school and in 1972 became the first 

principal of the new continuation school, Gateway High. After holding that position for five 

years, he served as the Administrator of Personnel for Clovis Unified School District. He 

remained in that position for 13 years, until he 

retired from the district in 1990. 

Today, Mr. Hirayama continues to work in 

the baseball world. He currently scouts for the 

Carps in Japan and the Dominican Republic. 

He is a true pioneer for the sport of baseball 

and an incredible example of competiveness 

and determination. 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend 

and congratulate Satoshi ‘‘Fibber’’ Hirayama 

upon the dedication of the new gymnasium in 

his name. I invite my colleagues to join me in 

wishing Mr. Hirayama many years of continued success. 

f 

HONORING THE LIFE OF JOE 

MENDOZA 

HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with 

a heavy heart today to honor my friend Joe 

Mendoza, who passed away on October 25, 

2008, at the age of 90. There are so many 

things to be said about Joe—a rancher, a 

community leader, and a family man who was 

held in high esteem by all who knew him. I 

can think of no better tribute than these remarks delivered at his memorial service by his 

long-time friend, Joseph Schoeningh: 

Point Reyes is a unique geographical area 

on our beautiful coastline. It was there 90 

years ago this past July that Joseph H. Mendoza, a truly unique man, was born. It was 

also there this past Saturday that he died. 

Joe Mendoza (Papa Joe to many of us) was 

a loving husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather and uncle. He was a caring friend 

and neighbor, a very successful businessman, 

dairyman and rancher, a true outdoorsman, 

avid hunter and fisherman. As a husband, he 

deeply loved, honored and cherished his ‘‘Mrs. 

Scotty’’ for 67 wonderful years. They worked 

as a synchronized team to build their ranching 

business, becoming highly successful. Recognized by his peers for his success, Joe became President of the Challenge Cream and 

Butter Association, served on the board of Directors of the National Milk Association, and 

also was one of the original board members of 

the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. 

As a father, he was very proud of his three 

children. He could be a tough and stern taskmaster at times, but he always wanted them 

to learn and grow from his methods and example. Son Jim shared about the time when 

the manure system was broken and they 

cleaned out the pump, then Joe put his foot 

over the outlet and told his young son to turn 

on the pump. This was a ‘‘hands on’’ manure 

shower lesson for both men . . . bet Scotty 

was thrilled about their entry to ‘‘her’’ always 

spotless house. . . . 

Son Joe remembers the time that he and 

fellow young men were entered as an adult 

ensemble into a parade, riding horses. Their 

Lions Club dads stuffed the kids’ shirts to 

make them look bigger and the boys brought 

home a trophy. On the way home the proud 

fathers decided to stop at the Western in Point 

Reyes Station. The same proud fathers proceeded to ride those horses into the bar. 

Young Joe watched as the horses and men 

partied in the bar and a passing driver almost 

got in a wreck as she drove by seeing a horse 

exit the bar. We wonder did this lay the 

groundwork for Joe Junior’s future. 

Joe passed on his acumen as a business 

and community leader to his family. Daughter 

Sharon put her accounting education to work 

taking a part-time job when she was raising 

her family. She did books for Joe, Scotty and 

the family dairy businesses. Really this was 

their way to connect and Sharon was able to 

learn from her ‘‘hero’’. Sharon and Joe enjoyed talking business, talking cows and 

strategizing financial and political plans. 

As a grandfather, the stories are numerous 

and wonderful. He had a manner of connecting with young people and no matter what 

their age, he stayed connected. Joe combined 

his love of Grandchildren and other pastimes 

at various locations from ‘‘the cabin’’ to his 

Duck Hunting Club at Grizzly Island. Granddaughter Teresa recalls their tradition that 

went on for ages when she accompanied Joe 

and Scotty to the Duck Club. Before any other 

task, when they arrived, Joe and Teresa 

would get into the boat and ‘‘cruise the Hawaiian Islands’’—they were on the lookout for 

hula girls in that Fairfield swamp and saw 

many great performances as they checked on 

the water level and duck population. As a 

great grandfather of nine, he just burst with 

pride as he watched this latest generation 

sprout up and found a way to ‘‘connect’’ with 

each of them as well. 

There was a special place in his heart for 

nephews Marvin and George Nunes whom he 

mentored in both businesses and life after the 

untimely death of their father in the early ’50s. 

As a hunter/gatherer, he was the organizer 

and leader of countless outings in pursuit of 

deer, ducks, doves and pheasant. Joe looked 

forward to every season with a new excitement and occupied most mornings calling up 

friends to set up their plans. He especially 

looked forward to the annual bird hunting trip 

to Mexico at the beginning of each year and 

was so fortunate to travel there only 6 months 

ago. 

As a fisherman who knew the ocean around 

him, he brought home a wide array of fish, abalone, crab and oysters . . . Granddaughter 

Karen recalls a fateful day when their catch 

numbered 33 salmon and 1 halibut. Joe was 

in the company of Karen and her friend Kristy 

Skeen . . . he would describe them as ‘‘2 

Tomatas’’. Of course all was good until the 

end of the day when the ladies retired to the 

kitchen of the Scotty-Joe to play cards and 

Joe was left on deck to clean all those fish. Of 

course, he graciously took on the task, never 

interrupting their game. 

As a good friend and neighbor Joe Mendoza was a mainstay of the ‘‘point’’ ranches. 

Neighbors became friends and they were like 

their own family watching out for one another 

during crisis or time of need. 

Joe was very proud, yet a very humble 

man, a man of much foresight and practicality. 

One good piece of advice he gave to many of 

us goes like this . . . 

‘‘If you do all of the talking, then they know 

everything you know and you don’t know what 

they know.’’ 

He was also very practical about avoiding 

the ‘‘eye of a storm’’. Once he and I, at the 

end of a great holiday party at the cabin, decided to take a small boat across Tomales 

Bay to the Marshall Tavern for a final ‘‘nite 

cap’’. When Mrs. Scotty discovered that we 

were missing and so was the boat, she correctly surmised where we were. As Joe and I 

were enjoying our final nite cap the bartender 


wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS
November 19, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2255 

hollered out, ‘‘there is a very persistent woman 

on the phone who wants to talk to a JOE right 

now and she really means it’’. Joe Mendoza 

calmly looked at me and said ‘‘That call is for 

you!’’ I took the phone and guess whose ear 

Mrs. Scotty burned to a crisp! 

Joe and Scotty helped to organize the 

‘‘world famous’’ Western Weekend in Point 

Reyes Station that continues to this day with 

a wonderful 2 block long parade that circled 

through town at least twice so that it would 

last longer than 10 minutes. 

Joe had a great sense of humor and he 

loved a good story or a funny incident and 

when he really laughed he had a special little 

kick that just naturally happened. When you 

saw that extra little body language, you knew 

he was really enjoying himself. 

Joe loved to dance and he was very good 

at it. So to his delight many Tomatas including 

daughter, granddaughters and great-granddaughters took turns sharing him with his very 

favorite Tomata and dance partner, his beloved ‘‘Scotty’’. 

My last thoughts today are of Joe and Scotty arm in arm dancing to one of their favorite 

country songs, being sung by Pam Nadale, a 

local country artist who passed on some time 

ago. The song in which I have changed just 

one word is ‘‘Waltz Across Texas’’. It goes like 

this . . . 

When we dance together my worlds in disguise 

It’s a fairyland tale that’s come true 

When you look at me with those stars in 

your eyes 

I could waltz across heaven with you 

Waltz across heaven with you in my arms 

Waltz across heaven with you 

Like a storybook ending I’m lost in your 

charms 

and I could waltz across heaven with you 

Waltz across heaven. . . . 

f 

IN HONOR OF ST. PAUL UNITED 

CHURCH OF CHRIST 

HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today in honor of St. Paul United Church of 

Christ in Parma, Ohio on the occasion of its 

one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and in 

recognition of its dedication to education, the 

community, and to God. 

St. Paul United Church of Christ was founded 150 years ago and boasts a variety of programs dedicated to serving members of the 

congregation and the community. The Church 

has a number of ministries, including a scholarship program, a Hunger Task Force, and a 

Neighbors in Need ministry. The members of 

St. Paul United Church of Christ devote a significant amount of their time to community 

service and are an integral part of the Greater 

Cleveland community. 

I also rise in recognition of Joseph Ripka, 

an internationally recognized and award-winning organist who will be performing at St. 

Paul United Church of Christ’s anniversary 

celebration. Mr. Ripka is this year’s winner of 

the Dublin International Organ Competition 

and was the 2006 winner of the San Marino/ 

Elizabeth Elftman National Organ Competition. 

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join 

me in honor of St. Paul United Church of 

Christ in Parma, Ohio as its congregation 

celebrates its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and in recognition of the Church’s significant contributions to the community. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY 

TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF THE 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, 

DAVIS ON THE OCCASION OF 

CARRYING ITS 50 MILLIONTH 

PASSENGER 

HON. MIKE THOMPSON OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. THOMPSON. of California. Madam 

Speaker, I rise day to recognize the University 

Transport System of the University of California, Davis or Unitrans, as it is known to its 

riders. For over forty years, Unitrans has 

served both UC Davis and the broader Davis 

community, and is celebrating the boarding of 

its 50 millionth rider this year. 

Founded in 1968 to support a growing UC 

Davis community, Unitrans has helped the 

University and the City of Davis grow and 

flourish. Originally, Unitrans had only two vintage double-decker London buses, which have 

become the most recognizable symbols of 

their presence in the community. The system 

is also notable because UC Davis students 

are almost entirely responsible for the day to 

day operations of Unitrans. All Unitrans drivers 

are undergraduate students and they are 

known for their professionalism and dedication 

to ensuring the system runs smoothly. Today, 

Unitrans has 49 buses servicing 14 routes and 

carries three million passengers every year. 

The facts about the benefits of public transportation are clear. Bus systems produce half 

as much carbon dioxide and substantially 

fewer emissions per passenger mile driven 

than private vehicles. By providing convenient 

access to public transportation, Unitrans is 

helping to keep our air clean and reduce traffic 

on our streets. Unitrans has also led the way 

in supporting clean energy by using compressed natural gas to fuel 90 percent of their 

buses. As our nation continues to work to fight 

global climate change, Unitrans provides an 

excellent example of how we can reduce our 

environmental impact and our carbon footprint. 

Madam Speaker, it is fitting at this time that 

we recognize the dedication and hard work of 

all the drivers, staff and riders who have made 

Unitrans such a success. Their efforts have 

been vital in supporting the growth of UC 

Davis, and we can expect that they will continue their service to the Davis community for 

many years to come. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF PAT HOLLARN, 

OKALOOSA COUNTY SUPERVISOR 

OF ELECTIONS 

HON. JEFF MILLER OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on 

behalf of the United States Congress, it is an 

honor for me to rise today in recognition of Pat 

Hollarn upon her retirement as Okaloosa 

County Supervisor of Elections. 

For over twenty years Pat Hollarn has ensured the process of fair and balanced voting. 

As Supervisor of Elections for Okaloosa, 

County, Ms. Hollarn has distinguished herself 

as a champion of increasing voter turnout, voting access, and overall knowledge of the electoral process. With incredible foresight and a 

keen understanding of the needs of the community, Ms. Hollarn paired advanced technology with the voting booth, serving at the 

forefront of the Internet voting project. This 

project has enabled voting access to disabled 

voters and military personnel serving oversees. Operation Bravo, a program founded by 

Ms. Hollarn to alleviate the problem of servicemen and women not receiving their absentee 

ballots while abroad, has made it significantly 

easier for troops and other Americans living 

oversees to vote. Additionally, Ms. Hollarn 

stresses the importance of voter education 

with programs like ‘‘Kids Voting’’ and ‘‘Kids 

Vote Too’’ which relay the practice and privilege of voting to a younger audience. 

Ms. Hollarn’s dedication to the civic realm 

spans far beyond her current position of supervisor of elections. Ms. Hollarn’s re ́sume ́ is 

clustered with board and committee memberships as well as numerous positions in various 

organizations. Chambers of Commerce, The 

Bidgeway Center, and the North Okaloosa 

American Cancer Society highlight the longstanding career Ms. Hollarn has fashioned out 

of civic duty and community service. 

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United 

States Congress, I am proud to honor Pat 

Hollarn for her enduring allegiance to the voting process and the subsequent benefits such 

dedication has provided for the First District of 

Florida. 

f 

CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION 

FOR MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS OF ARIZONA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to pay tribute to the men and women of 

Arizona’s 8th Congressional District who for 

the past two years have served as members 

of my Military Academy Nominating Committee. 

These 23 dedicated citizens have played an 

invaluable role in assisting me with one of my 

most important duties as a member of the 

House of Representatives: nominating young 

men and women for admission into our nation’s military service academies. 

As a result of this committee’s wise counsel 

and careful consideration, in my first year I 

nominated 24 constituents for admission to the 

U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force and Merchant 

Marine academies. 

Committee members spent countless hours 

reviewing applications, interviewing students 

and drafting their recommendations for nomination to the academies. Their singular goal 

was to make sure that the best and brightest 

students received a nomination. 

My Military Academy Nominating Committee 

members are: 


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