[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 17, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO NELLO BIANCO

                                 ______


                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 17, 1994

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an old friend and supporter, Mr. Nello Bianco, who is retiring in 
November as the longest-serving Bay Area Rapid Transit [BART] director 
on the current board.
  Nello has been a fixture, a voice for mass transit and for creative 
management and planning since he was first appointed to the board by 
the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors in 1969. He has won election 
after election since.
  Nello has resided in the bay area for over 50 years, where he has 
made contributions as a businessman, community leader, and as an 
exemplary citizen. Nello has been associated with the Richmond Boys 
Club, the National Safety Council, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, 
and the American Public Transit Authority.
  Nello also served on the Richmond City Council, as well as on 
numerous citywide commissions. His contributions to the bay area have 
been substantive and lasting, but none more so than his 25 years of 
public service on the BART Board of Directors.
  Nello has served in a variety of capacities for BART. He has served 
as the president and vice president of the BART Board of Directors five 
times during his quarter century on the board. During his tenure on the 
board, Director Bianco has been the chair and vice chair, and served on 
every BART committee.
  He has been instrumental in implementing many changes to the BART 
system, particularly the extension projects that will bring service to 
eastern Contra Costa County and portions of Alameda County. He headed 
the committees that negotiated San Mateo County's unique $200 million 
buy-in to BART, which initiated construction of the long awaited BART 
extensions in east bay cities--Martinez, Pittsburg, and Antioch--and 
the San Francisco International Airport.
  Nello was also instrumental in bringing the Morrison-Knudsen BART car 
construction plant to Pittsburg. Once the company won a contract to 
build new BART cars, Bianco encouraged the company to manufacture the 
cars in an old steel plant in Pittsburg. This will create hundreds of 
jobs in the Pittsburg community, as well as a needed economic boost.
  Director Bianco's long reign as BART director comes to an end in 
November with the expiration of his term. His dedication and commitment 
to the people of the bay area will be missed by all. The contributions 
he has made have affected nearly every resident of the area, as well as 
many others. His efforts and hard work will be missed, but his many 
accomplishments will be enjoyed by bay area residents for years to 
come.
  Nello Bianco and I have been engaged in local politics in the east 
bay for many years together, sometimes in opposition, but generally 
working together in mutual support of candidates and initiatives to 
improve the lives of the residents of the bay area. I treasure Nello's 
friendship and I salute his decades of service to BART and to 
California.

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