[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E438-E439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE YEARS OF SERVICE BY LILLIAN GATTIE TO THE GUNNER FAMILY 
                           AND GEORGE ANDROS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2011

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding service 
and dedication of Lillian Gattie, who has worked for the Gunner family 
in California's Central Valley for 75 years.
  Born June 1, 1917 to Italian immigrants, Lillian was raised on a 20 
acre farm outside of Clovis where she stills resides to this day. It 
was on the farm that Lillian learned the values of hard work and 
loyalty that would serve her well in her future career. After 
graduating from Clovis High School in 1935, Lillian completed business 
school in Fresno.
  Lillian began her 75 years of service to the Gunner family on March 
1, 1936 in an office position with the Mission Bell Wine Company, where 
Vas Gunner was Vice President of Sales. Lillian continued to work for 
Vas Gunner when he later formed the Argun Wine Company, a successful 
wine distributer. Lillian

[[Page E439]]

was essential in handling everything from orders to accounting. As Vas 
Gunner continued to expand his business, Lillian's responsibilities 
grew as well.
  In the late sixties, Vas' son Richard partnered with George Andros to 
form Gunner and Andros Investments. Again, Lillian's duties expanded to 
meet the ever growing demands of the company. With Lillian's help and 
dedication to hard work, the company has grown into one of Fresno's 
leaders in commercial real estate construction and management.
  In 2006, Lillian was quoted in the Fresno Bee, ``Why would I want to 
quit? . . . I still really enjoy working, it keeps me going.'' As a 
testament to her work ethic, Lillian reports to work at 9 a.m. on the 
dot, just as she has for the past 75 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the hard 
work and dedication that Lillian Gattie has shown throughout her many 
years of service to the Gunner Family and George Andros. I congratulate 
her on her years of dedicated and successful work in our Valley.

                          ____________________