March 14, 2001 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 3677 seeking care at more than 40 types of out- TRIBUTE TO LEAMON KING The Delano Record dated May 15, 1956 patient settings. The office-based surgery stated the following: ‘‘King’s 9.3 Dash Brings standards were established specifically for sin- HON. JOE BACA Another Record to City. Delano became the gle sites of care with up to four physicians, OF CALIFORNIA home of two world champions Saturday when dentists or podiatrists. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Leamon King, local resident and former Dela- no High School track star, ran the 100 yards JCAHO evaluates and accredits nearly Wednesday, March 14, 2001 dash in 9.3 at the Fresno Relays to tie the 19,000 health care organizations and pro- Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to sa- world record. King’s victory brought another grams in the United States. Accreditation is lute Leamon King, of California. Leamon has world record to Delano, making it the home of recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality been recognized by Adelante, California Mi- one the fastest sprinters and the residence of that indicates that an organization meets cer- grant Leadership Council and American Le- Lon Spurrier, holder of the world record for the tain performance standards. JCAHO has cer- gion Merle Reed Post 124 as an outstanding 880. There is no city in the United States the tainly chosen a good place to start its accredi- individual who has made significant contribu- size of Delano, which can boast two world tation program of office-based surgery by tions to the improvement of education opportu- champions.’’ starting in Salinas. Even more, it has chosen nities for Latino Children in California. Both Leamon King and Lon Spurrier were a solid model for others to follow in meeting A lifelong educator in the Richgrove and the stringent JCAHO standards by choosing selected to participate in the 1956 Olympics in Delano Elementary School Districts, Olympic Melbourne, Australia. Delano became the only Drs. Mraule and Perrott. I congratulate them Gold Medalist, World Record Holder on the on their fine work and urge my colleagues to city of its size in the United States to have two 100 yard dash and Delano High School grad- representatives make the 1956 Olympic team. join me in acknowledging their contribution to uate, Leamon has provided a positive role Because of the fame the City of Delano had health care services on the Central Coast of model for the local youth. received due to the athletic accomplishments California. Leamon was born on February 13, 1936 in of these two track stars, Leamon King and Tulare, California. His parents were Loyd King Lon Spurrier were the Grand Marshalls of the f and Beatrice Wallace King. They owned a Eleventh Annual Harvest Holidays Parade on farm in Earlimart, and Leamon lived there the October 6, 1956. IN HONOR OF JOHN GALLAGHER first year of his life. His father, Loyd King, sold their farm in 1937, and the King family moved During the October 1956 United States to Delano, California where Leamon com- Olympic camp practice meet at Ontario, Cali- HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH pleted his elementary and secondary edu- fornia, Leamon King set his second world record when he tied the 10.1 time for the OF OHIO cation. Leamon began his education at Ellington world record for 100 meters set by Ira Murchi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES School and later transferred to Fremont son and Willie Williams in Germany the pre- School. His mother wanted him to learn music vious summer. Following this splendid Wednesday, March 14, 2001 and to play the saxophone. The only elemen- achievement, Leamon traveled to Australia to represent the City of Delano and the United Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tary school in Delano with a band at that time States. Dr. Clifford Loader, Mayor of Delano, tribute to John Gallagher. Known as ‘‘Bobo’’ was Cecil Avenue Elementary School, so he also traveled to Australia to give support to the by friends, John Gallagher dedicated himself transferred to this school. While attending two Delano Olympic participants. to working for justice and creating a safer Cecil Avenue and learning music, Leamon community. As bailiff for Judge Norm Fuerst, began to excel in track as a sprinter, and was Delano High School Educator Gary Girard, Mr. Gallagher strove to fight crime and create ultimately elected student body president. who was serving as a staff writer for the Dela- a more secure community. He worked hard Upon graduation from Cecil Avenue, no Record, stated in his article dated Novem- and was dedicated to the public interest. Leamon transferred to Delano High School. ber 23, 1956, ‘‘King’s Efforts Pulled U.S. to He attended and won his first state meet at Victory in 400-Meter Relay at Olympic Games. His dedication to his community did not end the age of fifteen during his freshman year in Dr. Clifford Loader, Mayor of Delano, believes with his job. In his free time, Mr. Gallagher de- high school. During the next four years, that it was the running of ex-Delano High star voted himself to improving his neighborhood Leamon King continued to excel as both a stu- Leamon King that pulled the United States to and creating a better home for his family. His dent and as a runner. This outstanding athlete victory in the 400-meter relay at the Olympic love for his family could be seen in how he provided a positive image for Delano High Games in Australia. The U.S. had stiff com- spoke of them to his friends, neighbors, and School and the City of Delano, as well as petition from Russia. Loader said that after the coworkers. John Gallagher contributed to the being a positive role model for students to relay, Thane Baker, another member of the restoration of St. Colman Church and he emulate. U.S. relay team ran over to hug King, realizing worked tirelessly to support the West Side Following graduation from Delano High that it was his leg on the relay team that had Irish Club. John Gallagher loved his country School in June 1954, Leamon began to pur- won the race. King received a gold medal for and was active in many political campaigns, sue higher education at University of Cali- his effort on the winning U.S. 400-meter relay working to advance the causes in which he fornia, Berkeley. He was the first child in his quartet.’’ believed. family to pursue a college education. The April Following the Olympic games, the foursome Even greater than his dedication to his com- 10, 1956 Delano Record stated, ‘‘Delano set a New World record. In a meet with the munity was John Gallagher’s commitment to Sprinter Ready for Olympics. Sophomore British Empire, the U.S. team of King, Andy Leamon King, Delano High School graduate, a his family. The father of three, John Gallagher Stanfield, Thane Baker and Bobby Morrow set young man with wings on his feet, is Califor- always worked to help strengthen his family. a new world mark of 1:23.8 for the 880 yard nia’s newest hope for ‘World’s Fastest Human’ He was a loving, caring father who saw the relay. The old mark was 1:24. honors, and the Bear sprint sensation will importance of creating a safe neighborhood have ample opportunity to earn such acclaim According to Leamon King, when he first ar- for his family to live. He was proud of his fam- this spring.’’ rived in Melbourne, he ran on grass and set ily as well as his heritage. John Gallagher was The following month Leamon King tied the a grass record. It appeared as though every always quick with a smile, or a kind comment world record for the 100-yard dash at the time he ran, he would break a record. or word of encouragement. John was, in the West Coast Relays in Fresno, California. Bakersfield Californian Staff Writer Kevin words of a longtime friend, a ‘‘ray of sun- Merle Reed Post 124 First Vice Commander Eubanks stated ‘‘King’s omission from the 100 shine.’’ Joe Viray and former educators Wayne and meter team certainly didn’t affect his moment John Gallagher was a model citizen who Wava Billingsley witnessed this spectacular in the spot light. The news that the world’s recognized the connection between a strong event. They stated Leamon King’s historic fastest man was not competing in the 100 family and a safe community. Throughout his race was an awesome sight to see. It ap- meter race was received as something of a life, he worked to strengthen both. He will be peared as though Leamon King had wings on shock by the rest of the sporting world.’’ For missed. My fellow colleagues, please help me his feet as he majestically flew across the fin- his outstanding attributes as an athlete, in honoring John Gallagher. ish line and into the world record history book. Leamon King served as Grand Marshall for VerDate jul 14 2003 18:21 Feb 11, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR01\E14MR1.000 E14MR1.