NEWS 04/06/2005 JOHN PAUL DEJORIA JOINS FIGHT TO SAVE THE S.S. CATALINA Laguna Niguel, CA …John Paul DeJoria, Chairman and Co-Founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems, Chairman and CEO of Patron Tequila, has demonstrated his firm resolve to help return the "big white steamer" to California by serving on the advisory board of the Raising the Catalina Association to save this historical landmark. The world-famous ship currently sits half submerged in Ensenada Bay, Mexico in danger of being demolished. DeJoria, a first generation American turned entrepreneur, philanthropist and pillar of the business community noted for his humanitarian efforts, explains that his happiest childhood memories are of summer days spent playing on Catalina's glistening sandy beaches. "We were very poor," he states, "but every summer my mother managed to take me and my brother to that magical island. We'd ride the trolley from Echo Park to the beach, take a bus to San Pedro and there boarded the S.S. Catalina. Like most kids, we loved running and playing on her decks and believed her to be the world's largest and most magnificent ocean liner taking us on a great adventure. When I read that a nonprofit organization was formed to restore the S.S. Catalina, I knew I had to be part of the mission." "We are honored to have John Paul DeJoria's participation," enthuses Richard McPherson, retired Navy salvage expert and Chairman of the Raising the Catalina Association . "His personal history with our ship is the basis for his commitment, but his appreciation of history in general and California history in particular is the driving force." "Whether she can be made seaworthy is conjecture at this time," DeJoria states, "but I would like to see her in service, making her runs between the island and the mainland. She carried over 20 million passengers from her inception in 1924 to being retired in 1975. That includes the 800,000 servicemen she transported from San Francisco to waiting troop ships during World War II. I'd like present and future generations to have the opportunity to experience her as I and thousands of kids like me did. However, if she can't be made seaworthy, the S.S. Catalina has already been named a designated California Historical Landmark and a City of Los Angeles Historical Monument; and can serve well as a museum and educational center for our youth." For more information on saving the S.S. Catalina, click on www.savethecatalina.org. Joyce Brubaker/Devon Blaine The Blaine Group 8665 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 301 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310 360 1499 blaine@pacificnet.net Richard McPherson Raising the Catalina Association 949-677-5389 03/25/2005 My Fellow S.S. CATALINA Preservationist, On Behalf Of The S.S. CATALINA STEAMSHIP FUND (SSCSF) And Myself I Endorse The Efforts Of Richard McPherson, Linda (Maynard) Hironimus And The RAISING THE CATALINA ASSOCIATION (RTCA) To SAVE The GREAT WHITE STEAMER CATALINA! I Would Also Like To Thank Phil Dockery And The S.S. CATALINA PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION (SSCPA) For Their Well Intentioned Effort, But Now However It Is Time To Move Forward With The Same Vision That I Had In Establishing The S.S. CATALINA STEAMSHIP FUND (SSCS) And In Setting Up The S.S. CATALINA PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION (SSCPA). I Am Confident That The RAISING THE CATALINA ASSOCIATION (RTCA) Will Stick To Its Goal And Leave Politics Aside Where Individual Agendas Will Not Detract From Its Mission And Will Have The Boldness & Fortitude To Do This! I Am Looking Forward To This Upcoming Event At The AVALON CASINO, In Discussing And Planning These Events Linda, Has Brought Back The Excitement And Fervor That I Once Had With Making This Project A Reality Because I Feel A Genuine Unity With This Group No Divisiveness And No Back Door Negotiations. GREAT Things Could Still Happen For Our GREAT WHITE STEAMER CATALINA!!! It Is The Perfect Time To Take Advantage Of This Opportunity!!! Sincerely, David Engholm S.S. CATALINA STEAMSHIP FUND Let's Stay In Touch! S.S. Catalina Newsletter Sign-up and receive the monthly Save The S.S. Catalina Newsletter. Enter your email address, choose a content format and click "Join." HTML Text AOL - Raising the Catalina Association - - 25121 Via Portola, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 - www.SaveTheCatalina.org - Home - Donate - History - Events - Resources - News - Photos - About Us - Contact