[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2511-E2512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING LARRY DITO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2007

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who has 
literally changed the face of one of the largest cities in my district. 
Larry Dito has for 35 years directed the parks, recreation and 
community services program for the City of Novato. On a small budget, 
using good old-fashioned teamwork and cooperation, Larry has enriched 
the lives of skateboarders, dog owners, seniors and teens by creating 
new buildings, new parks and new opportunities, as well as renovating 
older ones and making them usable.
  From his first days here, in 1972, Larry gather a small, loosely-
banded group of rural folks and formed it into a community.
  ``He developed the mission of the department to enrich community 
life,'' says Jennifer Goldfinger, assistant to the city manager. ``And 
that's really what he's been all about.''
  Larry accomplished this by convincing people to work together for the 
greater good. Members of Rotary, Elks, schools and neighborhoods 
pitched in to realize the vision of a community where all its citizens 
could enjoy living there.
  ``He is known for creating partnerships,'' Goldfinger explains. 
``He's very good at bringing people together.'' And those same people 
extol his virtues. He is universally liked and admired.
  ``I cannot think of a negative thing about him,'' notes Nancy 
Sangster, who, as a former parks and recreation commissioner, worked 
with Larry for years and still considers him a friend. ``Any good word 
you can find in the dictionary, you can say about him.''
  High praise, perhaps, but Larry has earned it. Thanks to his work, 
Novato seniors have the Margaret Todd Senior Center. Because of Larry's 
ability to build consensus with other organizations, Novato teens have 
a place to hang out--the Novato Teen Center. With Larry's help and 
guidance in engineering a joint project, the City's children have the 
Novato Gymnastics Center, the skate park, the Hill gym, and a full 
complement of girls' sports programs and after school athletics.
  But Larry has not just created new programs and facilities; he has 
also given new life to the old. He spearheaded the renovation of the 
Indian Valley College swimming pool, as well as the outdoor ball fields 
there.
  Sangster adds to the list the Hamilton re-use projects at the old 
Hamilton Air Force Base. Here, Larry had the pool and amphitheater 
renovated for activities, programs and plays the entire county can 
participate in.
  His tireless efforts have also resulted in a number of small 
alterations in the city--improvements that most people didn't notice, 
but that affected the lives of many. For example, it was Larry who 
convinced concerned homeowners that allowing the upgrade of 
neighborhood parks to make them ADA accessible would actually benefit 
them, as well.
  ``He always found groups to help build, so that much of the labor was 
donated,'' Sangster explains. ``He knows how to bring out the best in 
everybody.''
  And this list doesn't begin to include all Larry's accomplishments.

[[Page E2512]]

  Across the freeway from the giant Novato shopping center called 
Vintage Oaks runs a brackish haven for water fowl, lined with cat-tails 
and, on the weekends, cars of the many visitors. Rescued from 
developers who would have turned it into condos, this lovely marsh 
attracts birds, frogs, snakes, people and dogs. For commuters stuck in 
the nightmare traffic that lines the freeway to the east, Scottsdale 
Marsh is a reminder of to relax.
  It is also, says Sangster, one of the most outstanding such projects 
in the United States.
  How did one man accomplish so much? He works long hours, yes, but 
even more, he knows how to lead. Larry's sparkling personality brings 
people together and puts them at ease. They recognize he is genuine. 
Sangster explains that he is not only a good delegator, but he inspires 
confidence in others to make decisions--and they are good decisions. He 
expects the best and people rise to the occasion.
  In addition to his dedication to the City of Novato, Larry is a 
devoted family man who assumed leadership responsibility for his own 
children's sports groups as they were growing up. And he's the kind of 
friend who is always there to help out.
  ``He always puts his friends above his personal plans,'' Sangster 
says, recounting how 10 years ago, Larry and his wife gave up travel 
plans for their anniversary in order to attend her husband's funeral. 
``Everybody is important to him.''
  Madam Speaker, every part of the City of Novato bears the stamp of 
Larry Dito's efforts to improve life for every member of the 
community--young, old, wealthy, working-class or needy, athlete or 
amateur. But even more, the residents of Novato carry the legacy of 
this man's example--that one person can be the catalyst for change to 
create a community.
  And that, Madam Speaker, is why I honor Larry Dito on his retirement, 
after 35 years in service to a community forever in his debt.

                          ____________________