PASADENA, Calif.– E-Central CU, in association with Community Women Vital Voices, hosted a community reception for the 2019 Tournament of Roses President Gerald Freeny that attracted more than 300 community leaders and local, state, and federal elected officials, such as Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Judy Chu. The event was chaired by Ron Carter and Lena L. Kennedy, and co-hosted by AT&T, City of Hope, Occidental College and Boy Scouts of America.
“Through our advocacy work within the local community and with non-profit organizations, we developed a relationship with Community Women Vital Voices which were looking to co-host a community reception for Mr. Freeny to recognize this historic event and honor his many years of service and volunteerism,”said E-Central CU Vice President of Operations Evan Hitchcock. “It was our honor to be part of something very special.”
E-Central CU Board Chairman Mark Garmus said the credit union—which received a California Assembly certificate of recognition for its efforts with the reception—has served the Pasadena community for 75 years.
“We share Gerald Freeny’s passion for ‘People Helping People’, and his love and support for this community, Garmus said.
He presented Trina with a special award to commemorate the special occasion.
Both Congresswomen Waters and Chu made special presentations at the event, honoring Freeny, who unfortunately couldn’t attend due to an illness. He was represented by his wife, Trina.
Waters—who in 2016 was elected to her 14th term of the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently the ranking member of the House Committee of Financial Services—said she was honored to take in this event honoring Freeny, who is the first African-American president in the 123-year history of the Tournament of Roses.
“This did not come about easily,” Waters said. “There were a number of people who worked very hard to diversify the Tournament of Roses… Let us enjoy that Pasadena has moved forward; progress has been made.”
Others making special remarks at the event included Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek and Vice Mayor John Kennedy as well as state Senator Steve Bradford and state Assemblyman Chris Holden.
“I want to thank you all for coming out and supporting Gerald,” Trina told the crowd.
“He rose through the ranks with the help of other tournament members, sponsors, and friends and family. I thank everybody who helped us on this road to here.”
At right, from left: VP of Operations Evan Hitchcock of E-Central CU (which hosted the reception); E-Central CU Board Chairman Mark Garmus, Congresswoman Judy Chu; Congresswoman Maxine Waters; Danny Bakewell, owner of The Bakewell Company, which includes among its holdings the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper; and E-Central CU Advisor to the CEO Ken Kasamatsu.