[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING NANCY MANNERS FOR 13 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE 
                        RESIDENTS OF WEST COVINA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 1997

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a good friend, 
Hon. Nancy Manners, councilmember of the city of West Covina, CA. Nancy 
is retiring from the West Covina City Council after 13 years of 
distinguished service and will be honored at a special ceremony on 
Wednesday, March 19, 1997.
  Nancy begun her public service in 1973, when she was elected to the 
Covina-Valley Unified School Board. During her tenure she served as 
president of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program 
Board. In 1984, she was elected to the West Covina City Council. Nancy 
was the first woman to serve on the city council and, in 1988, she 
became the city's first woman mayor.
  While maintaining an active role on the city council, Nancy also has 
been a member of numerous organizations, often taking leadership roles 
advocating on behalf of local governments. She has been president of 
the Independent Cities Association, ICA Risk Management Authority, San 
Gabriel Valley Planning Commission, Mid-Valley Mental Health Council, 
and chairperson of the Los Angeles County Solid Waste Committee. Also, 
Nancy has served on policy and steering committees of the National 
League of Cities and the California League of Cities, and other groups 
working on issues of local government.
  She has been a resident and servant of the city of West Covina for 38 
years. In addition to the many hours that she has committed to serving 
local residents, she has dedicated herself to numerous community and 
civic organizations. Currently, Nancy is serving her second term as 
president of the queen of the Valley Hospital's 2100 club, the board of 
the West Covina Rotary, and vice president of the West Covina 
Historical Society. She also has served as the president of the San 
Gabriel Valley League of Women Voters, Covina Coordinating Council, 
Altrusa, regional chairperson of the San Gabriel Valley Lung 
Association, and in 1980, she was selected to serve on the Los Angeles 
County Grand Jury.
  Prior to serving as an elected official, Nancy was employed by the 
city of Covina for 16 years. In 1963, she became the first woman in 
southern California, and one of only a few nationwide, to achieve the 
post of assistant to the city manager. Because of her outstanding 
dedication to the community, Nancy was named 1976 Covina Citizen of the 
Year and 1983 West Covina Citizen of the Year.
  During her children's youth, Nancy was active in their Scouting 
activities. She served as den mother to her son's Cub Scout, Weblos, 
and Boy Scout troops, and was troop leader of her daughter's Brownie 
and Girl Scout Troops. She taught second grade Sunday School and was a 
room mother and an active member of her children's Parent-Teachers 
Association.
  Nancy received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of La 
Verne in 1977, and completed certificate courses in public 
administration from the University of Southern California in 1972. She 
was married to the late George Manners and has three children, Joan, 
Nancy, and Gene. She is also blessed with five grandchildren and three 
great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here assembled to recognize my 
friend, Nancy Manners, a trail blazer and role model for all to 
emulate, on the occasion of her retirement from the West Covina City 
Council.

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