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January 2021 Bob Miller, president of the Tournament of Roses, Deals with the Pandemic and Canceling the Parade DREAM. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE. most used in 2020. As Merriam Web- what the pandemic has wrought around sters states in a press release, “Some- The 2021 theme celebrates educa- serious health implications and suf- tion’s ability to open doors, open the world—death, short-and long-term minds, and change lives. times a single word defines an era, and Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game need word came immediately to the fore…”. to be kept in perspective. Education paves the path to suc- it’s fitting that in this exceptional – and fering, financial hardship to ruin— the exceptionally However, like difficult—year, all things in life, a itsingle is Years of work had gone into prepar- cess with a world of opportunities about perspective. When compared to ing for the big day, but canceling the pa- achieved through knowledge, com- rade was not what we wanted to do, but passion, and determination. it was what we had to do. As we began As students visualize their future, our process of deciding the fate of the education is the bridge to accomplish 2021 parade, our number one priority their aspirations and encourage gen- was the health and well-being of our erations to come. parade participants and guests, as well as that of our volunteer members, staff Together, let’s celebrate dreams ful- and partners. After consulting with lo- filled, goals achieved, and millions of lives forever changed. determination was that the Parade and cal,Game county could and become state superhealth spreaders officials, the By Bob Miller and put thousands of lives at risk. Our choice was clear. That was supposed to be the theme of One question people asked was how the 2021 Rose Parade, but that did not close were we to being ready for Parade happen as so much else in the world did Day? The 2021 Rose Parade was ready not happen, said Bob Miller, president to go when we announced that we were of the Tournament of Roses Association. unable to host it this year. What most Just like so many other things, the Rose people don’t realize is that the planning Parade was canceled because of the for the parade begins almost from the pandemic. According to Merriam Web- sters, the word Pandemic became the Committee of the Tournament of Roses day you are named to the Executive Bob Has Been a 37-Year-Tournament White Suiter when eight years later, you become opportunity for those viewing to donate President of the Association. You start to food insecurity support throughout thinking about your theme, the message the country. As an Association, we you hope to share with the world, and focused much of our energy on our local the manner in which you will interpret community’s food insecurity needs and the mission of the Tournament of Roses Association which is to “Bring people In addition, our Association along together to create premier events and wantedwith Donate to extend Life will that install focus twonationally. major entertainment celebrating the New Year.” In earnest about two years out as lawn of the Tournament House as our floralgift to and the artlocal installations community. on The the instal front- lations will depict our parade, its joy your theme is solidified, national and and promise of healthy, new beginnings internationalon securing a bandsGrand areMarshall. selected, float and the wonderful work of Donate Life participants I have been finalized, a White andSuiter work volunteer begins and the donors, recipients and health for 37 years. It is among the greatest care workers who make miracles hap- honors of my life to have been elected to pen every year. - With the whirlwind of activities mittee in 2014 to become President in going on each day even without the be2021. a member I have received of our Executive many questions Com parade, I often sit in wonder how a about what happens now? I am hon- Roses production on New Year’s Day. 14-year-old kid who moved with his ored and thankful that the Pasadena world expect to see a Tournament of family from Jericho, Long Island in Tournament of Roses Association Board On the national and international levels, New York in 1969 became president of Directors has voted to “roll” the Theywe are definitely producing won’t a TV be entertainment disappointed. of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses 2020/21 leadership and all member as- Association. From the east coast world signments to 2021/2022. This means I Celebration presented by Honda.” How- of school dress being buttoned down will continue as President of the Associ- special—”Roseever, the 2021 College Parade’s Football New Year Playoff shirts, slacks and often ties, we relo- ation on 2021/22 and “Dream. Believe. cated to a land of t-shirts and jeans in a Achieve.” will be the theme of the 2022 Arlington, TX instead of the Rose Bowl. much more casual Southern California. Rose Parade. Semifinal Our TV willentertainment be played, butspecial it will will be air in From studious east coast educational Bands that were selected to march in endeavors to Beach Boys mentality, Cal- 2021 have been invited to participate in NBC, Hallmark, KTLA and their many ifornia sun, and the Pasadena environ- onsister all ofstations, our partner RFD-TV, networks—ABC, and Univision. also been welcomed to join us in 2022. Graduating seniors who would have theThe 2022 same Rose holds Parade true for and our floats 2022 have Royal performed in the 2021 parade are part ment,my new I was city a and fish what out of I waswater going trying to doto Court. We will be inviting all who would of a special segment in the TV special. figuremoving out forward. my new life, my new friends, have tried out for the 2021 Court to A special guest conductor has also been My Dad was a very successful do the same for the 2022 Court if that invited. We anticipate more than 25 to television audio engineer working for works for them. 40 million domestic viewers and an in- CBS having done shows like Ed Sulli- The work doesn’t suddenly end now ternational audience of 15 to 20 million. van, Jackie Gleason, NFL football, and that the parade has been canceled. Our special includes a major part- countless specials for big names like Thousands of people from all over the nership with Feeding America and an Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley and Barbara Streisand. He was a highly sought-after audio engineer, and he moved the family to Pasadena to accept a position with ABC. He once again gar- nered a long list of credits working top television shows. My Dad loved what he did, and I loved him, so I wanted to follow him into the world of television. So how to do that at the early age of 14? My desire to follow in my Dad’s footsteps also led me to my relationship with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. Well, like most things in including where I met my one and only my life, it began at PUSD and PCC — dating when she was 15 and I was 17, love—and we my got wife married Barbara. 3 ½ yearsWe started later. We will celebrate our 45th wedding anniver- sary on June 27, 2021. Add to that two Dick came to me and asked if I would District staff help him and his committee convert who entered his of Tournament whattape. was then the annual official of Roses memo- office, it was full 16-millimeter I did so, and Rose the following Parade film year to invideo rabilia past and 1983, Pete and Dick nominated me for present. membership. And with the support of I spent many my incredible wife and kids, the rest as hours in Pete’s of- in 1984. Tournament and they In wrapping say, is history. up this My entirely first parade too long was ficelife. talkingThat is wherework, “This is Your Life hosted by Ralph the Tournament Edwards” essay, a couple of closing thoughts. the ages of 15 First, I am incredibly grateful to have incredible kids, a daughter and son-in- bugand bit—between18. Three spent a large part of my career at what law, and four wonderful grandkids.. incredibly important personal and pro- I consider to be the best community At the time Barb and I met, PUSD fessional formative years for me. college in America. In my two “stints of had one of the most successful educa- Some years later, I met Dick Ratliff duty,” and during the years in between tional closed-circuit TV systems in the who got me even more interested in the when I was incredibly fortunate and country. The technology was known as Tournament. It was 1982. At that time, privileged to travel the country visiting I was the Manager of Media Services community colleges and universities, at PCC having been promoted from the PCC was always at the forefront of my ITFSTV system. or Instructional Television Fixed position of Production Manager for the mind recognizing just how fortunate Services Many of— you an over may therecall air the closed broadcast circuit college’s instructional television depart- tower that is still behind the Education ment. So how did I get back to PCC after college in its midst. I also realized it graduating from there in 1975? Center at 351 S. Hudson. The tower ourwas communityabout the people.

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