HONORING AJAY ANAND

On 2026-09-21, Representative Vince Fong (R-CA-20) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING AJAY ANAND" in the House.

HONORING AJAY ANAND

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 149 (Monday, September 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 149 (Monday, September 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E961] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING AJAY ANAND ______ HON. VINCE FONG of california in the house of representatives Monday, September 21, 2026 Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ajay Anand of Kern County, California for his numerous contributions to Kern County, healthcare in the Central Valley, and the local communities of which he is a part. Decades spent exploring every corner of both the Central Valley and our healthcare systems have given Mr. Anand a wealth of experience which he uses to his advantage. His contributions include building healthcare infrastructure across the region, such as bringing `DaVinci' robots into the operating room for precision surgery, as well as leading philanthropic programs for underprivileged, at-risk youth. One of his most recognizable contributions to the Central Valley was the work he did for the Bakersfield Heart Hospital; which, in 2016, was incredibly close to closing after their `corporate parent company' went bankrupt. Mr. Anand put almost the entirety of his savings and resources into salvaging the hospital and even acquired corporate ownership to keep the hospital open and functional, helping save over 400 jobs in the process. Mr. Anand led both the development and creation of Centric Health, founded in 2013, a clinically integrated delivery platform in Kern County specializing in patient-centered healthcare and delivering care to over 120,000 patients a year; as well as QualCare, a network of independent physicians with over 600 providers, extending care to Medicare beneficiaries in Bakersfield and Kern counties. More recently, he and his family contributed to the Thomas M. Hardt Tower expansion at Mercy Southwest Hospital, in recognition of which the hospital's maternity and obstetrics center was named the Anand Family Birth Center. Mr. Anand's impact on Kern County and the Central Valley extends much further than the healthcare field, however. He is a co-founder and managing partner of the H2H Asset Group, a real estate and hospitality company contributing to the local economy, and has helped create jobs, services, and housing for his community. He is also committed to philanthropy and public works, creating the Anand Legacy Foundation to support at-risk youth, and supporting Garden Pathways, an organization committed to providing mentorship and education in the Central Valley. He also helped found the Centric Community Care Foundation, a nonprofit initiative promoting community health and well-being through education, outreach, and disease prevention. The Anand Legacy Foundation also provides support for the `emPOWERment Dess Perkins Foundation', a local organization dedicated to assisting survivors of human trafficking. His work and support in this field reflects a deep commitment to protecting vulnerable youths in our communities and strengthening our district. His commitment to helping the next generation doesn't extend only to the less fortunate and at-risk, however. Mr. Anand and the Anand Legacy Foundation also consistently support educational initiatives in the district, making annual contributions towards the Kern High School District Educational Foundation's Superintendent's First In Class Award program. Most recently, Mr. Anand has pledged $500,000 in support of the ``Trump Accounts'' initiative, to establish investment accounts for newborn children, with the contribution specifically directed toward supporting vulnerable and at-risk newborns in Kern County, including children born to mothers in rehabilitation and recovery programs. As with his charitable works, the focus he places on the protection and well-being of future generations show his great contributions to our community. Over the last 20 years, Mr. Anand has played a pivotal role in improving the quality of healthcare in the Central Valley in addition to his numerous charitable works. His dedication and work earned him a 2026 Hometown Hero Honoree selection by the Bakersfield Police Activities League, as well as the 2019 Bakersfield Mayor's Medal and Community Ambassador Award, and a Certificate of Recognition from the Kern County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing the incredible work that Mr. Anand has done for the Central Valley. Few individuals have made such a broad and lasting impact on our district, from strengthened healthcare access and support for vulnerable populations to investments in a stranger future for our district and Nation. We wish him nothing but continued success in his endeavors and thank him for all that he has done. ____________________