[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF HERMAN FEHL'S RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 1997

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who 
has spent the last 19 years as a devoted public servant of San Benito 
County. Mr. Herman Fehl has been recognized as a community leader and 
visionary in both the job training and community action arenas. It is 
my privilege to be speaking of this man's countless accomplishments 
today.
  In 1978, Mr. Fehl began his public service as the director of San 
Benito's Comprehensive Employment Training Act program, which over time 
evolved into the Federal Job Training Partnership Act program. Three 
years later, Mr. Fehl, in conjunction with several members of the San 
Benito board of supervisors, successfully established the county as a 
Community Action Agency [CAA]. This led to Federal community services 
block grant funding for San Benito County.
  In addition to forming the community action agency, in 1984 Mr. Fehl 
joined together with several community members to form the San Benito 
County Community Services Development Corporation [CSDC]. This 
nonprofit corporation is dedicated to helping low-income families 
become self-sufficient. Mr. Fehl watched the CSDC's assets grow from 
$30,000 to over $6,000,000. Under his able leadership, CSDC developed 
the San Benito Business and Industry Park, which includes the Community 
Services Building. This is an award-winning one stop Social Services 
Center.
  The newly reorganized Department of Community and Workforce 
Development is now recognized as the primary provider of comprehensive 
social services for the low-income community. Due to Mr. Fehl's 
excellent direction, the Department budget has grown to over 
$3,000,000. Its extensive range of services include rental housing 
assistance, a homeless shelter, utility assistance, emergency food, and 
first-time homebuyers mortgage assistance, in addition to plans for on-
site child care for job training clients.
  If a measure of success is recognition from your peers, Herman Fehl's 
many contributions to the residents of San Benito have been generously 
acknowledged: Citizen of the Year 1988 for San Benito County; the 1990 
League of United Latin American Citizens award for his devoted service 
to the Hispanic community in San Benito County; and Disaster Relief 
Coordinator for his heroic leadership during the 1989 Loma Prieta 
earthquake.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me saluting an outstanding public servant 
who has given so much to his community as both a leader and as a 
citizen. The residents of San Benito County will sorely miss Herman 
Fehl's commitment to its citizenry but joins me in extending him a 
well-deserved retirement.

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