[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO JESUS ARMAS--HAYWARD CITY MANAGER EXTRAORDINAIRE

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 23, 2007

  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jesus Armas, 
City Manager of Hayward, CA. Mr. Armas is ending his long and 
distinguished career with the City of Hayward at the end of June 2007. 
Mr. Armas, who has been associated with the City for nearly 20 years, 
was initially Assistant City Manager and since 1993 has held the 
position of City Manager.
  During his tenure, Mr. Armas has assisted the City Council in 
addressing a number of issues that were outstanding at the time of his 
appointment as City Manager. Among his first tasks was to help the City 
Council address the financial challenges facing the City. The City was 
experiencing declining revenues and a reduction in its fund balance. 
Working with department heads and with the cooperation and assistance 
of employees and their associations or unions, various cost-saving 
measures were presented and adopted by the Council, resulting in a 
balanced budget. This spirit of cooperation among all members of the 
organization was employed once again a decade later when a downturn in 
the economy required another belt tightening,
  Mr. Armas has initiated and implemented a number of significant 
changes, which have made Hayward a better place in which to live and 
work. Under the City Council's direction, he initiated projects that 
dramatically transformed downtown Hayward. Construction of a new award-
winning City Hall served as a catalyst for significant public and 
private sector investments in the downtown area. Housing and retail 
development continue at a fast pace. While many communities in the Bay 
Area talked about the concept of transit-oriented development, Hayward 
went beyond the talking stage and caused the concept to become a 
reality. Mr. Armas describes the transformation of downtown as 
something he is especially proud of.
  Jesus Armas has been the force and vision behind many projects that 
have enhanced the social, financial and environmental well-being of the 
City of Hayward. In reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Armas said that 
beyond the bricks and mortar, what is noteworthy has been the 
opportunity to work in a diverse community, where differences involving 
race, ethnicity and languages, are embraced and seen as positive rather 
than negatives aspects of the community.
  Mr. Armas states ``I will be eternally grateful to Hayward residents 
for allowing me to experience a rewarding and enriching professional 
career,'' I join the City of Hayward, CA in expressing our profound 
appreciation to Mr. Armas for his exemplary commitment and dedicated 
public service.

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