By Jim King

Jim King

Now after almost 23 years in the Inland Empire it is time for me to move on -- for the time being, to Los Angeles, where I will help take care of my ailing mother, while looking for a permanent place in the Palm Springs area.   The history that I have been a part of here will remain with me forever.  I need to thank so many people.  In fact if you are reading this article, I want to thank you too!

One of my finest achievements was the implementation of the Black Rose Awards, the late Jeff Hill had the vision to work with me and make this event a reality.  It has been like a dream celebration for those who don't get recognized as they should to get such a meaningful award that means so much to the community.  Juanita Scott and the Black Culture Foundation members made the annual event something very special.  I'm so proud of the achievements that the Foundation has made like Black Community Picture, Miss Black San Bernardino and of course Black History Week. Please keep the Black Rose Awards going.   I want to thank the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation.  We had a blast and we made history bringing Muhammad Ali, Isabelle Sanford and Rosa Parks to our community.  I got the chance to interview Rosa Parks for KCSB TV-3.  Time stood still for me and camera operator and director, Manzie Booker as Rosa related her compelling story to our community.   Neither one of us will ever forget that day.  I also want to thank them for honoring me with the first Dr. Juanita H. Scott Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1991.  Dr. Juanita Scott is someone I truly admire and receiving this Award was incredibly meaningful to me.

Being involved in a leadership position in so many organizations was a great joy to me; raising so much money to save babies for March of Dimes along with Rita Rogers, seeing Riverside Community College blossom under Dr. Rotello's leadership during my term as President and being a minor contributor as Al Phinnex directed his Moreno Valley Rockets Track and Field team towards victory.  And I'm proud that I was as one of the founders of Black Future Leaders and along with Lois Carson we received the White House "C" flag award and we also received another White House  "C" flag award for  a reference book design to assist Low Income and Senior Citizens.  I also really enjoyed working behind the scenes with another group who chooses not to publicize their goals while working with Federal, State and local politicians to make a significant difference in the Inland Empire..

Also, I was so happy giving the Gas Co. scholarship each year and I wish all the students good luck with their chosen careers.  I remember the first day of meeting Dr. Herbert Fischer in his office at San Bernardino High School.  And you know what going to the principal means?  You have to prove yourself and be a man of your words.  Margaret Hill and Dr. Fischer made me feel at home in the school environment.

There were so many organizations, chambers of commerce and business groups I could mention but this document is far too long now.  But, you know who you are and I really appreciate the love and support you have given me.

Inland Empire Alive!  was a TV show I co-hosted along with Diane Abbott for 10 years.  We got a chance to hold original documents hand-written by Abraham Lincoln, items for King Tut's tomb, and we interview the entire cast of the Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral.  Thanks Diane, Booker and staff of KCSB TV-3.   

I also want to thank some special people, Bob and Donna Eatinger, Cheryl and Hardy Brown, Jamil Dada, my Gas Company friends especially the people who reported to me, the King Team and the Public Affairs Team.  Of course I couldn't forget Assemblywoman Wilmer Carter and her husband Bill, Brian and Michael Townsend and their father, the late Art Townsend, Cindy Roth, Congressman Joe Baca, the late Congressman George Brown and his wife, Marta Brown, Linda Hill, Dr. Fred Workman, Jack Brown, Wallace Allen, the late Joe and his wife, Georgia Wittle, Bill Leonard Sr. and Bill Leonard Jr., Evelyn Wilcox, Judith Valles, the Ruebottoms and the late Harvey Wilson.  Also, Senator Nell Soto, Assemblyman Russell Bogh, Jack Wyatt, Bernie and Darby Gutierrez, Ida Roberson, Marion Black, Congresswoman Mary Bono, Roger and Tony Scott, Toni Rodgers, Pastor Ray Turner, Pastor Joshua Blakely and the other pastor who supported me, Beverly Powell, PCM-3, the San Bernardino and Riverside County Sheriffs, The Cunningham Family, The Taylor Family, The Collins Family, The Tillman Family and The King Family.

In addition, I want to thank the many cities and organizations that have honored me over the years; I have been humbled and overwhelmed by their support and confidence in me.  Thank you to the cities of Rialto (Mayor Longville) and Perris (Mayor Busch) for having a Jim King Day, July 11, 1991 and March 12, 2005 respectively; the Martin Luther King Visionaries for giving me their most prestigious leadership award, the City of Grand Terrace and the Foundation members, the Riverside Community College for giving me the Riverside Community College 2005 Distinguished Public Service award, The Valley Group, both the Riverside and San Bernardino Boards of Supervisors, my media contacts, and most importantly, Congressman Ken Calvert for reading a proclamation into the Congressional Record in my honor, upon my retirement on March 10, 2005.  All of these tributes have made me so proud to be a part of the Inland Empire community.

My stroke in 1992 was a devastating blow, but the Lord was with me and your prayers, cards and flowers kept me going.  Even today, I draw on the remembrance of your kindness for strength.  During my stroke recovery in Kaiser Fontana Hospital, I was only allowed a few visitors as the doctors feared I might suffer another stroke.  Hardy Brown who was then working at Kaiser stopped by to see me on a daily basis.  Belinda Woods was working the graveyard shift and came by to see me when she got off work and brought me her son's learning machine to help teach me to talk again.  Willie Dean and Evelyn sent me my favorite breakfast foods delivered by Dr. Juanita Scott, cat fish, grits, eggs w/cheese and onions and biscuits.  Penny Sweetenburg-Lee and Gregory Lee give me a bible.  And, Aretha King and Lou Gates did so much for my family during that terrible time.

If you know of a person who has had a stroke, please encourage him or her to keep working toward their recovery. I still struggle with words, both written and spoken everyday, but I am grateful to still be here.   It is so difficult to suffer and recover from a stroke in so many ways, emotionally, physically and mentally.  At times you get very frustrated and depressed.  So, help out has much as possible as my mom helped me out.

 If somebody you know has had a stroke, encourage him or her to keep working at trying to talk, walk or whatever functions or skills the stroke has affected. And, try to get them uplifted as depression is a devastating thing.  Thanks to my family, all the elected officials, business and community leaders, board members, friends and neighbors who lent a helping hand in my time of need.  I am very grateful for your support.

I will miss all of you. Each one of you has been a true friend and may God's Blessing be with all of you.

Thank you Robert Visconti and The Gas Company for publishing this.

Jim King

Retired Public Affairs Manager, The Gas Company