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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E485-E486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ELIAS W. ``CHUCK'' HADDAD
______
HON. KEVIN McCARTHY
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Chuck
Haddad, who passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the age of 85.
The namesake of the Haddad car dealerships in Bakersfield, California,
Chuck was an esteemed local businessman and philanthropist and most
importantly, a friend to many in our community including myself.
Chuck's life story is a true embodiment of the American dream. Having
grown up in Lebanon, he moved to the United States to attend
[[Page E486]]
Wabash College in Indiana. However, as Chuck soon found out, the
Midwest gets a bit colder than the Mediterranean climate where he was
raised. Fortunately, he found a suitable alternative in the great state
of California, where he moved shortly thereafter to attend Stanford
University in Palo Alto. It was here that Chuck's automobile career
began when, while shopping for a car of his own, the dealer was so
impressed with his bargaining skills that he offered Chuck a salesman
position on the spot. Within a year he was the dealership's General
Manager. Chuck went on to open his own dealership in East Los Angeles
in 1973, followed by Haddad Dodge in Bakersfield, California in 1974.
Chuck and his family owned the Dodge dealership, Haddad Kia, and have
ownership stakes in Nissan of Bakersfield, BMW of Bakersfield, and
Bakersfield Chrysler Jeep FIAT.
Outside of his dealerships, perhaps the professional accomplishment
Chuck was most proud of was winning a landmark court case against the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In Bakersfield Dodge Inc. v. The IRS,
the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that car dealerships have the
right to allocate certain financial resources for tax purposes,
benefitting automotive dealers across the country. Anyone that knew
Chuck would be unsurprised to hear how proud he was to have been able
to help others. In fact, Chuck helped countless people in the
Bakersfield area by his generous contributions to charitable causes
such as research for juvenile diabetes, arthritis, heart disease,
cancer and leukemia. He also provided leadership and guidance on the
California State University Bakersfield's business advisory panel, the
Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Kern County Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few.
But Chuck was most proud of the great love story of him and his late
wife, Inger. Together as parents to James and Lisa, John and Meredith,
and Jeff and Tina, and grandparents to Michael, Ryan, Allie and Ryan,
Jacob, Joshua and Maci, their lives were filled with many memorable
moments. As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, we will always
remember Chuck's devotion to family. As a philanthropist, Chuck's
commitment to community was evident through his many civic
contributions as well, most notably through the National Automobile
Dealers Association. Through the association, he was dedicated to
fostering relationships with our local, state and federal elected
officials recognizing the importance of effective leadership. Chuck
held true to his conservative principles as was evident in his support
of helping candidates who shared these values pursue successful
campaigns. As a member of the Kern County Republican Party, he received
the 2016 Republican of the Year Award, where his tireless efforts on
behalf of a grateful party were recognized.
The measure of a man's life can be found in his character, in his
optimism, in his joy and humor, in his courage and passion for what is
good and right and in his love for family, neighbor and country. This
was the life of Chuck Haddad.
On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of California, we
remember my friend, Chuck Haddad, and extend our most heartfelt
condolences to the Haddad family.
____________________