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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E895-E896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING PETER BLACKSTOCK
______
HON. JIMMY PANETTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career
achievements and community dedication of Peter Blackstock, a prominent
businessman, community steward, and philanthropist who has called the
central coast of California his home for nearly 40 years.
Peter Blackstock was born on the East Coast and served in the Army as
an officer in Vietnam before working for the Ford Motor Company. In
1982, Peter moved to the Central Coast and purchased the Leslie Motors
Toyota dealership in Seaside and renamed it Victory Toyota. Later, he
opened Lexus Monterey Peninsula, forming Victory Dealership Group.
During his time as owner of Victory Dealership Group, Peter was a
significant supporter of the automobile dealer community. He advocated
for and actively contributed to industry priorities as a member of the
American International Automobile Dealers Association's board of
directors, President of the California New Car Dealers Association, and
a director on the board of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
He also set the bar for dealerships across the country when Victory
Toyota was LEED certified for environmental responsibility in 2014. As
a businessman, Peter is held in high esteem by all he worked with for
his personal integrity, thoughtful contributions, professional
demeanor, and engaging personality.
Peter is an especially involved member of his community on the
Central Coast. He has secured resources for and served in many roles in
countless organizations, including the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of
Commerce, Boy Scouts, Monterey Bay Symphony, Monterey Museum of Art,
Make a Wish Foundation, AIM Youth Mental Health, Pac Rep Theatre
Groups, SPCA, AT&T Junior Golf, Church
[[Page E896]]
in the Forest, Hospice Giving, Arthritis Foundation, National WWII
Museum, Marine Scholarship Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and Rancho
Cielo. Most notably, he is Director Emeritus of the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Monterey County, a past President of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance
instrumental in protections for the California Condor, falcons, and
other raptors, trustee emeritus of the Naval Postgraduate School
Foundation, and was Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development Committee
of the Fort Ord Reuse Committee. He has also served on the Monterey
County Sheriffs Advisory Council, the task forces of the City of
Seaside, the boards of All Saints and Stevenson Schools, and as foreman
pro tempore on the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury.
As he begins his retirement, I have no doubt that Peter will continue
to find myriad ways to support his community and cherish his time with
his beloved wife, Barbara, and his daughter, son-in-law, and three
grandchildren, who are triplets. We, as a community, are grateful for
his contributions to the Central Coast and celebrate his successful
career.
____________________
