[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 22 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E259-E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      A TRIBUTE TO RUBEN S. AYALA FOR A LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2002

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to pay 
tribute to Ruben S. Ayala, whose 45 years in elective office in 
California made him one of the most respected and influential political 
voices from San Bernardino County. Mr. Ayala, who is celebrating his 
80th birthday this month, is still serving the people of California as 
a member of the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board.
  Mr. Ayala began his career in politics in the same way that I and 
many of my colleagues became involved--as a member of the local board 
of education. He was elected to the Chino School Board in 1955, and he 
has been active in education issues throughout his career. In 1962, he 
was elected as a Chino City Councilman, and became the city's first 
elected mayor in 1964. He joined the San Bernardino County Board of 
Supervisors in 1966 and was chairman from 1968 to 1972. In 1974, he won 
a special election for State Senate, and served in that body until he 
retired in 1998.
  I was privileged to serve in the Legislature for four years with 
Ruben Ayala, and found him to be a forceful advocate for the state's 
school children and a proud proponent of San Bernardino County. After I 
came to Congress, I always knew State Sen. Ayala could be counted on to 
work hard for the benefit and improvement of our county. We have 
watched it grow and mature in many ways over the years, and Ruben Ayala 
deserves great credit for helping foster the county's economic 
expansion.
  The first Mexican-American to be elected to the State Senate in the 
20th Century, Ruben Ayala was almost better known for his U.S. Marine 
Corps service and the Marine-like attitude he brought to the 
Legislature. When he became involved with an issue, he took action and 
was tenacious in pushing through legislation or demanding a response 
from state agencies. As chairman of the Agriculture and Water Resources 
Committee, he was one of the most forceful voices on water policy in 
California--a topic that often defines the state's political and 
economic agenda. He was also a primary sponsor of the legislation 
creating the California Conservation Corps, a very successful program 
that helped many cities complete parks and public works projects.
  Mr. Speaker, the quality of Mr. Ayala's work, and the esteem that he 
has garnered, is evident from the fact that two parks, a street and

[[Page E260]]

a high school has been named in his honor. He was named Legislator of 
the Year in 1986 by the League of California Cities, and received many 
other awards for his work on behalf of schools, cancer victims and the 
local economy. I ask you and my colleagues to honor him as well with 
our congratulations on his 80th birthday, and our best wishes for his 
continuing work on behalf of Californians.

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