White House Honors Vacaville Resident for being 'Champion of Change'

Special to Dixon Patch

The White House honored Bruce Rasmussen, a Vacaville resident and third-grade teacher at Laurel Creek Elementary School in Fairfield, Thursday for being a "Champion of Change."

The event recognized pioneering businesses and individuals, who help to “Make It In America” through innovation and job creation. Congressman John Garamendi joined Rasmussen at the White House to celebrate this award.

The White House honored Bruce Rasmussen for spearheading the implementation of a revolutionary solar powered water pumping system near the entrance to Yosemite National Park and Groveland.

As President of the Peach Growers Tract Improvement Association, Rasmussen convinced the members of this homeowners association and authorities at Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest, to replace the aging propane-fired water system for his home and 19 others.

Prior to the transition, the Forest Service often had to truck in water using diesel fuel. Rasmussen planned the conversion, raised funds for its implementation, and installed the system.

This new solar powered water pump will supply water for drinking, household uses and fire suppression by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, and Cal Fire. If implemented on a broader scale, this new solar-powered system would create thousands of jobs, save millions in tax dollars, and help preserve our national parks and forests.

In addition to leading this project, Bruce Rasmussen was also the 2010 Teacher of the Year at Laurel Creek Elementary School in Fairfield.

“What Bruce has done, not only to create clean energy technologies, but to develop jobs here in America, is truly tremendous,” Congressman Garamendi (D-Fairfield) said. “I would like to congratulate Bruce for this trailblazing achievement and for engraining in the next generation of students a love for science.”

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Barack Obama’s Winning the Future initiative to highlight groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community activists and recognize them for the work they are doing to better their communities. More information on the Champions of Change program is available here.