[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E671-E672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOE HOLLSTEIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Joe Hollstein, 
who is retiring after 28 years of service to the city of Ceres.
  Joe Hollstein has admirably served Ceres and its residents since 
1979. In most cases, Joe has supervised most of the capital projects 
that have occurred in Ceres for nearly three decades. Joe was 
instrumental in getting new wells drilled to increase the water supply 
and he explored the possibility of tapping into surface water. Joe also 
increased water storage capacity by having ground water reservoirs 
constructed which added to the city's firefighting capabilities.
  Seeing a need to expand the city's wastewater treatment plant, Joe 
has worked continually on this project with the latest development to 
develop a sewer line to Turlock from Ceres.

[[Page E672]]

  As a traffic engineer, Joe has always been a valued resource to the 
community and surrounding areas. He has worked from day one with Cal 
Trans to widen Whitmore Avenue Overpass and to revise the Mitchell Road 
interchange. In spite of funding delays, Joe has continued to provide 
technical expertise on these projects and have kept them as a focal 
point for the local Council of Governments.
  Joe has continued to be responsive to the public and its concerns by 
hosting public hearings and meetings to allow for public input. It is 
not unusual for Joe to personally respond to the residents on matters 
of concern to them.
  In addition to public works infrastructure projects, Joe has 
maintained a vision for acquisition of land for parks and city owned 
buildings, He worked closely on the design of the public safety 
building and the new fire stations.
  Joe continued to find unique ways to fund the community's growth and 
needs. He was very proactive in establishing special assessment 
districts to bring additional funds to the city--the establishment of 
street lighting and landscape maintenance districts. These districts 
were established in Ceres at a time when few cities had special 
district fees.
  Outside of city hall, Joe has continued his commitment to the 
community; Joe has diligently volunteered his time to pruning the 
beautiful roses at Smyrna Park and to the restoration of the Daniel 
Whitmore Home.
  Throughout his career with the city of Ceres, Joe Hollstein has been 
a consummate public servant. He has utilized his skills and experience 
for the betterment of the community. Joe has not limited his work to 
his own department but worked to provide facts and figures for other 
city projects.
  I am honored to rise today to recognize the work of Joe Hollstein and 
to honor him for his many years of distinguished service to the Ceres 
community. I wish him the very best in his retirement.

                          ____________________