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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 03151988 - 1.21 TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM Phil Batchelor Cmtra County Administrator Cost DATE: March 10, 1988 C ourty SUBJECT: Presidential Medal of Freedom SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION• Authorize the Chairman to send a letter to the President of the United States urging the President to award Everett Alvarez the Medal of Freedom in recognition of the fact that Mr. Alvarez was the first American pilot shot down over North Vietnam and was the longest-held prisoner of the Vietnam War. BACKGROUND: Ms. Michael Fryer has asked Supervisor Schroder whether the Board of Supervisors could endorse a request that Everett Alvarez be awarded the Medal of Freedom. Ms. Fryer' submitted letters of endorsement from Vice President Bush and Governor Deukmejian. Additional background information on Mr. Alvarez is also attached. In view of the distinction with which Mr. Alvarez served in the Navy; in view of the fact that he was the first American pilot shot down over North Vietnam, and in view of the fact that Mr. Alvarez was the longest-held prisoner of the Vietnam War, it appears appropriate for the. Board of Supervisors to support the request that Mr. Alvarez be awarded the Medal of Freedom. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE; X RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF XXBOARD COMMITTEE __. X APPROVE OTHER S 1 GNATURE(S 1: ACTION OF BOARD ON ----March 15, 1988 ATsPROVED AS RECIXIVAENDED X OTHER r VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT III AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: County Administrator ATTESTED Ms. Michael Fryer PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY M382/7-83 —,DEPUTY EAL •L'p �7L' �1T �^ t rr t 1 �io tatr of C, ill farltia oaN GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SACRAMENTO 95814 GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN OvEPNOR October 9 , 1987 The Honorable Ronald Reagan President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20006 Dear Mr. President: I am writing to urge your serious consideration of awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Everett Alvarez. The citizens of our great nation owe a debt to those who fought for our precious freedoms. Everett Alvarez is a brave American who, throughout his life, has committed himself to pre- serving our cherished principles of freedom, justice and liberty. Mr. Alvarez, a native Californian and former United States Navy Commander, was the first American pilot shot down over North Vietnam and the longest-held prisoner of the Vietnam War. While in captivity, his strength and loyalty prevailed over extreme hardship and tremendous adversity, and after 8h years he was part of the general release of prisoners on February 12 , 1973. Mr. Alvarez retired from the United States Navy in 1980 , after having received many awards for valor, including the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Purple Hearts. After serving as Deputy Director of the Peace Corps, he was nominated by you for the position of Deputy Administrator of Veterans Affairs, and was confirmed by the Senate and served in the position from August 1982 to May 1986. He is currently the Vice President for Govern- ment Services for the Hospital Corporation of America. October 9 , 1987 Page 2 Mr. Alvarez ' s spirit of appreciation for what our great nation provides and stands for has never waned. Despite his many responsibilities , he continues to be active in POW and MIA pro- grams and travels throughout our nation speaking to our youth on the merits of the precious freedoms we are so fortunate to enjoy today. Everett Alvarez's lifetime of bravery, valor and dedication to our great nation is well deserving of this prestigious honor.. His tireless service to the United States of America and the principles upon which it stands is a lasting tribute to the proud determination and commitment that make our country the greatest nation in the world. Thank you for your serious consideration of this request. Most cordially, George Deukmejian THE VICE PRESIDENT WASH I N(ETON February 27, i988 Mr. Dennis M. Stone President U.C. Jaycees Post Office Box 916 Union City, California 94587 Dear Mr. Stone: Although I could not be with you this evening, I want to convey to everyone gathered in honor of Ev Alvarez my deep respect and affection for a man of great decency and remarkable courage. No doubt others will detail the career of this American patriot, a distinguished Naval officer, an outstanding public servant and a family man. However, I would like to congratulate him, and many others who served with him, on something quite different. To me, Eves greatest triumph was not over the adversity and pain of captivity. Instead, it was in simply being normal, in preserving the warmth and optimism that you all will certainly witness tonight. That Ev and his fellow prisoners of war could and did re-enter life as whole men says much about mankind. Their example, their triumph, gives us all hope and hope is a gift beyond price. With warm best wishes, Sincerely, George Bush TOTAL PRGE . 02 THE HONORABLE EVERETT ALVAREZ , JR . Everett Alvarez ,la distinguished Naval officer and government executive is best known to the public as the first American aviator shot down over North Vietnam. He was taken prisoner of war on August 5 ,i1964 , and held in North Vietnam for 82 .years , until the general release of prisoners on February 12 , 1973 . Born in Salinas ,; California , on December 23 ,1937 , Mr . Alvarez earned a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1960 , the same year he joined the Navy . He also holds a Masters Degree in Operations Research and Systems Analysis , a Jurist Doctorate Degree , and is a! member of the District of Columbia Bar . Mr . Alvarez served in program management at the Naval Air System Command in Washington D.C . , until his retirement from the Navy in 1980 . In April 1981 , he accepted an appointment as Deputy Director of the Peace Corps . President Reagan nominated him to be Deputy Adminstrator of Veterans Affairs in July 1982 ; he was confirmed by the Senate and assumed his post in August 1982 . A city park and two housing projects in California and Texas have been named in honor of Mr . Alvarez . The- University of Santa Clara has given him the Alumnus of Distinction award , as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service . In January 1987 , his hometown of Salinas , California named a new high school in his honor . Mr . Alvarez holds numerous military decorations , including the Silver Star , two Legions of Merit (with combat. "V") , two Bronze Stars (with combat "V" ) , the Distinguished Flying Cross , and two Purple Hearts . Mr . Alvarez left the position of Deputy Administrator of Veterans Affairs in May 1986 . He is currently with Hospital Corporation of America , where he holds the position of Vice President for Government Services . Mr . Alvarez is married to the former Thomasine Ilyas of Pittsburgh , Pennylvania . They have two sons , Marc and Bryan and reside in Rockville , Maryland . CaiC� orenia ya. eees ° Tnt 1020 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 103 ... ./nycff's Anaheim, California 92805 e •� (714) 520-5488 �on7 .aaj CM s...ST,R President R E S O L U T I O N James N: n McMaho _City of San.iose Safi Jose,California . WHEREAS We the American People continue to enjoy the Chal imanoftheBoard, "GOOD LIFE" seemingly without regard to how it . Robert J.Spiegel Corona Industrial:Electric,Inc. evolved and. . . Corona,California Past les 11-as 6ttlie Board WHEREAS Great numbers regard their tax payments as Chanes L.'Cassy Law Offices"ofFarley"&Cassy , the only guarantee of their FREEDOMS, and. . . Ventura,California it.dmlol2-e-vcVlce;Prealdenl '(`any Ramos' WHEREAS The masses celebrate and do honor our war :..: :. >:";:,::.:: city of walnut dead and the homecoming heroes in the midst of or at W .... r€t.. the termination of conflicts and soon thereafter '"'"' "'"ii°e'`'°P'"e"t such recognition fades away, and. . . Vico President,. g Greg McMenamin. A � i WHEREAS One of AMERICA's greatest living heroes, mariirnia Cmuni(y nevelop; ht EVERETT ALVAREZ, Having been shot down over North YicePresfdent::;">'" Vietnam on August 5, 1964 , and became the longest `°i0yG"uer` held prisoner of war in our history, and. . . Wells Firp.Alarm:5eivices` :" Escondido:California.>:! aiiaoarnoaiopmc ;; WHEREAS That having survived the tortures and omareA.Be: in:: .:;:.;..:;.::: privations of war, without breaking faith with his <8ernard K.8eefuteln;;;:`;. ... Ca iiforniaAccountngktazlnc. Countrymen, for our sake and the generations to Pomona: tcome, and to further guarantee our FREEDOM, and. . . Irkri eth.Powell Presldcnt RESOLVED That EVERETT ALVAREZ represents the great €iM :raike>}t>fl:: number of unsung heroes and the pinnacle of American w'+ersidef°r";� patriotism, and be it further resolved. . . Ileropollt,rn:Vke P►estdent:":: E&ardsLurnbeRESOLVED That we call upon the President of the San Ftetrcisco;Cai3tornia United States to recognize this outstanding Citizen g°`p `tinkle � and Champion, and to bestow upon EVERETT ALVAREZ the ::David KI :-n —:;`, ;":, :?::;:"::` ttiett=Paaaco:;;;; honor of receiving the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM paf°Alto;ca;;€ort;i :: ' which he unquestionably deserves as the symbol of Treasurer,:` appreciation from a grateful nation. Arthur Anderson Accounting.:z ,Los Anpeles,:Calltarrtia`::. :::;: %Kriodite Treasurer':; ii.i::%;: : :Treat Benedetti -A' tan '; :: ;: On behalf of the California JAYCEES Board of sat,taMatia GaI;€orn;a Directors representing 193 chapters and membership LAR&i Cout se K�,rwa ;,. of 10 , 313 young leaders who fully support and :AiiamayafLaW . endorse the intent and the spirit of the resolution Poiiiona,Caitfpriila:;;_;:.;:: herein witness my signature below. Ctaplaln '. 'Robar [os:An&Ws.CaGtoriikt:,: /f -L ....-- aanattt (� Jim McMahon 60th President California JAYCEES Paso Robles;Cali ii.. President►ai:tilttata nri F..ounWIn Vel*..Cali tvrnta':;;::; Mento Park:Califortiia Can Do! &fte of (Ealifornia GOVERNOR'S OFFICE -ad; +.° SACRAMENTO. CA 95814 GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN TELEPHONE GOVERNOR (916)445-2841 October 9 , 1987 Ms. Mary C. Stone U.C. Jaycees P. O. Box 916 Union City, CA 94587 Dear Ms. Stone: Thank you for your letter to Governor Deukmejian requesting a letter to the President of the United States recommending Mr. Everett Alvarez for receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Governor appreciates your taking the time to write. He, too, believes that Everett Alvarez is a man who has given a great deal to our nation, and is richly. deserving of the Medal of Freedom. He has written a letter to the President, which I have enclosed, recom- mending that Mr. Alvarez receive this prestigious honor . Again, thank you for your letter , and please accept the Governor 's best wishes. Most cordially, Margaret 1%. Bengs Assistant to the Governor for Constituent Affairs Enclosure