CHP honors Rex Parris as Valleys Citizen of Year

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press May 22, 2001.

By BART WEITZEL
Valley Press Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Lancaster attorney R. Rex Parris was honored recently by being named Antelope Valley Citizen of the Year by the California Highway Patrol's Southern Division.

Parris' philanthropy and community volunteerism earned him the honor.

In presenting the award, CHP Commissioner Dwight "Spike" Helmick cited Parris' sense of responsibility toward the community and his generosity toward needs of the Valley's young people.

The nomination cited Parris' volunteering in civics classes at various Valley middle schools to teach young people about the Constitution and its role in our society.

Parris volunteers with local schools in a variety of ways. Most recently he used his trial lawyer expertise to serve as the coach for the mock trial team at Desert Winds High School. The team competed in a mock trial competition against all Valley high schools in March, placing second.

Parris also provides local disadvantaged youth with college scholarships and donates financially to schools.

In April, when Challenger Middle School had its second annual Increase the Peace celebration at Antelope Valley College and a giant peace sign was created with students holding hands and wearing commemorative T-shirts, Parris and attorney Steve Fox paid for the shirts.

"I grew up in this Valley on welfare, and I am now far, far away from the welfare rolls, and my wife and I feel that a percentage of our income should be put back in the community," Parris said. "You know, it sounds trite, but I really, really do love this community."

Another way that Parris gives back to the community is through the Valley Volunteers, an organization that he founded.

"You can take $100,000 and pass it around to the various organizations or you can develop a volunteer base that will have exponentially more impact in the community," he said.

Valley Volunteers currently has about 800 people donating their time to nonprofit projects in the community, Parris said.

Also receiving awards were Officer John Williams of the Lancaster CHP station, named Officer of the Year. Station clerk Carla Chandler was named Nonuniformed Employee of the Year.