[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 109 (Tuesday, September 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MR. PATRICK WEST

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2005

  Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to 
recognize Mr. Patrick West for his 25 years of service to the people of 
Paramount, California.
  Pat began his career with Paramount in 1980 at a time when the city 
was being called a ``suburban disaster,'' and was ranked as one of the 
Nation's worst places to live. Pat was a leading part of a team of 
local citizens and city employees who made a commitment to turn 
Paramount around. And turn the city around they did.
  For example, to help reduce the high crime and gang problem in 
Paramount, Pat and other city employees and community leaders developed 
the GRIP anti-gang youth program. GRIP is now nationally recognized as 
one of America's longest running and most successful programs at 
reaching children early in elementary school, steering them away from 
gang involvement and towards more positive activities.
  Pat started work in the city's Recreation Department, where GRIP is 
located. During 1986-1994 he moved to the Community Development 
Department where he was responsible for planning, zoning, and housing 
efforts in the city. Then, in 1994, Pat became City Manager for 
Paramount. Pat's able hand at community development and city management 
can be seen today in the thriving business districts of Paramount, and 
the creative use of suburban revitalization methods, such as pocket 
parks. Those years in the 1980's and 1990's saw the dramatic 
transformation of Paramount from suburban disaster status to a model of 
positive suburban redevelopment, with a city that stands out today for 
the quality of its city management and the quality of public services 
that it provides its residents and businesses. Pat West has played a 
leading role in directing that transformation over two and a half 
decades.
  Pat's roots and life have been spent in our region of Southern 
California. Born in Inglewood, raised in Huntington Beach, and educated 
at UC Irvine for a bachelor's degree, and Cal State Los Angeles and Cal 
State Dominguez Hills for masters' degrees, Pat is truly a local 
Southern Californian who has done well, and done well for his State and 
his greater community.
  Pat is leaving Paramount after 25 years to take a promotional 
opportunity working for the larger city of Long Beach where he will 
head up that city's redevelopment agency and help another city in our 
region successfully meet the challenges it faces.
  Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in honoring 
Pat West for his many years of service to the people of Paramount, CA 
and in wishing him the very best in his work ahead for the people of 
Long Beach, CA.

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