[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E695]]



        TRIBUTE TO JOHN POWERS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 2, 2001

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite 
my colleagues to join me in congratulating John M. Powers on the 
occasion of his retirement as the City Attorney for thirty years for 
the city of Vallejo, California.
  John was born July 7, 1938, in Oakland, California. He attended 
grammar school in Oakland, and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 
Berkeley in 1956. Four years later he graduated from St. Mary's College 
in Moraga, California, majoring in economics, with a minor in political 
science. He obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of 
California School of Law, Boalt Hall, in Berkeley, California, in June 
1963. He passed the State Bar Examination in San Francisco in August 
1963. Prior to engaging in the practice of law full-time, John served 
with the Army on active duty from December 1963 to June 1964. He then 
became a reservist with the California Army National Guard.
  In July 1964, John came to Solano County as a Deputy County Counsel 
under County Counsel Jim Shumway and remained in that position until 
April 1967, when he was named assistant to County Counsel Milton G. 
Goldinger. Among other duties, John attended meetings of the Board of 
Supervisors, represented the Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control 
District and various school districts, along with the Sheriff, 
Assessor, Tax Collector, and Judges. He also once represented the 
Solano County Community College District.
  John Powers was appointed Vallejo's first full-time, in-house City 
Attorney in March, 1971. Some of his accomplishments include actively 
participating in the numerous transactions relative to the conversion 
and reuse of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard; representing the 
City of Vallejo in litigation challenging the relocation of Marine 
World/Africa USA (now Six Flags Marine World) from Redwood City to 
Vallejo that resulted in a stipulated settlement after the Court denied 
petitioners' application for injunctive relief, and preparing the 
contract between the City of Vallejo and the Vallejo City Unified 
School District providing for the financing arrangements for the 
renovation of Corbus Field at Vallejo Senior High School. He also 
provided legal services including review of articles of incorporation 
and by-laws, and assistance with organization of the board of directors 
for the formation of VALCORE (Vallejo Community Organizations 
Recycling) in 1981, and the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation. John 
has represented the City of Vallejo and its various officers and 
employees in personal injury and civil rights litigation and lawsuits 
involving the assistance or denial of land use, zoning and other 
planning approvals and entitlements. He has also drafted or reviewed 
and approved many ordinances, resolutions, legal opinions, contracts 
and other documents essential to the operation of the City of Vallejo 
municipal government.
  Over the years, several of John's deputies have gone on to become 
well-established attorneys for other cities, including William Galstan 
to Antioch, Chuck Lamoree to Vacaville (via a stint as Solano County 
Counsel), and Michael Rousch to Pleasanton.
  John has performed many forms of volunteer work during his tenure as 
City Attorney. One of the most notable was the many hours he worked 
with the committee that renovated Corbus Field at Vallejo Senior High 
School. His efforts with the fundraising project to replace the field 
lighting led to a fund with his name, ``The Powers Lighting Fund''.
  John spent many active years as a volunteer with the Silverado Area 
Council of the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Council President for 
two terms as a member of the Executive Board. John currently is a 
member of the California State Bar and the Solano County Bar 
Association. He is also a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, 
the Executive Lions of Vallejo (where he was a charter member and past 
president), and the Order of the Sons of Italy in America.
  John has been, and continues to be, very well respected in the City 
of Vallejo and Solano County, both in his role as a government official 
and as a member of the community. John's expertise, knowledge and sense 
of dedication will be deeply missed.
  John lives in Vallejo with his wife of 37 years, Sharon. They have 
three adult children: Rhonda, Lisa, and Michael; and two grandchildren, 
Jack and Joe.
  I know I speak for all the members when I wish John M. Powers a very 
happy and health retirement, and when I thank him for the many 
contributions he has made to our community.

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