RESOLUTION

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESOLUTION HONORING

Catalino Tapia,

Founder of the Bay Area Gardeners’ Foundation

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WHEREAS, Mr. Catalino Tapia is the founder and president of the Bay Area Gardeners’ Foundation, which awards scholarships to promising young students who otherwise may be unable to access higher education; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tapia is himself a hard-working gardener who was inspired to help others pursue their dream of a college education after he saw his son graduate from Law School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tapia’s spirit of generosity and philanthropy has led him to found the Bay Area Gardeners’ Foundation in order to support a brighter future for other hard-working youth who dream of graduating from college; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tapia, together with fellow gardeners, has successfully raised funds for the Foundation’s scholarship awards by asking for donations from gardening clients and other community members; and

WHEREAS, this year, the Bay Area Gardeners’ Foundation will award 15 scholarships of $1,500 each to low-income students for higher education, plus special awards of $1,000 from the Cheyita Book Fund for the two students with the highest grades; and

WHEREAS in addition to the financial support provided by the scholarship grants, the students receive the moral support of the Foundation and the community, knowing that they are supported as they pursue their dreams; and

WHEREAS Mr. Tapia, through hard work and perseverance, has fulfilled his vision for creating a brighter future for his children and many others after immigrating to the United States 43 years ago with a 6^th grade education and only $6 in his pocket; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tapia has been recognized by the International Institute of the Bay Area with the 2008 Quiet Hero Award, to be presented at a ceremony on April 18, 2008 at Cañada College; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tapia is the recipient of other prestigious awards such as the Jefferson Award and the Sustainable San Mateo County Award.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, hereby extends their gratitude to Catalino Tapia and recognize the many contributions that Catalino Tapia and the Bay Area Gardeners’ Foundation have made towards opening opportunities for local youth to access higher education and a brighter future.

Dated: April 18, 2008

SUPERVISORS:

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ADRIENNE J. TISSIER, PRESIDENT

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MARK CHURCH

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RICHARD S. GORDON

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JERRY HILL

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ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors