[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 86 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING MAYOR WALLACE J. NICHOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2008

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Wallace J. 
Nichols, who served as Mayor of Fountain Hills from May 2003 to May 
2008. Mayor Nichols has exemplified the leadership, dedication, and 
insight that constitute a great public servant.
  Mayor Nichols has a long and impressive record of service to the 
Fountain Hills community. He served as an elected officer and Chairman 
of the Fountain Hills Sanitary District, Los Arcos Multipurpose 
Facilities District Board of Directors, Scottsdale Boys & Girls Club 
Board of Directors, Fountain Hills Boys & Girls Club Advisory Chairman, 
Chairman of the Fountain Hills Community Center Advisory Commission, 
and on the Citizens Committee/Community Benefits Committee Board.
  Notably, he was instrumental in bringing the Boys and Girls Club to 
Fountain Hills. Mayor Nichols' support began on the advisory committee 
in Fountain Hills. Later, he became the head of the Four Peaks Branch 
fundraising campaign on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale board. 
After tireless efforts from Wally, the Four Peaks Branch now boasts 
enrollment of nearly 1,000 children and teens. With overwhelming 
support from the Fountain Hills community, the Club is now offering 
more programs than it ever has, including outreach efforts with the 
neighboring Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Wally truly understands that 
strong communities are built upon the foundation of strong families, 
and that strong families are borne from constant commitment to kids.
  Mayor Nichols has not only worked to secure a brighter future for 
Fountain Hills' youth, but also a greener, more sustainable one. Valley 
Forward--an environmental organization that surveys communities every 
four years and assigns them letter grades in air, land, water, and 
transportation--labeled the Town of Fountain Hills the ``most 
improved'' community out of 16 Maricopa County governments in its 2008 
report. Under Mayor Nichols, great strides were taken in trail access, 
economic development plans, and mountain and wash protection.
  Other local affiliations include the Noon Kiwanis, Fountain Hills 
Chamber of Commerce, Friend of the Fountain Hills Community Theater, 
Senior Center, Civic Association, Library Association, Republican Club, 
Fountain Hills Historical Society, and the Four Peaks Community Church. 
Focus on such organizations has helped create the sense of community 
involvement and civic participation in the Town of Fountain Hills.
  As the former mayor of Tempe, I understand the challenges that 
governing a city can pose. Wally faced these challenges head on, with 
grace and unwavering commitment to the people he served.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in expressing gratitude for the 
improvements Mayor Nichols has made upon Fountain Hills, and 
remembering the positive legacy that he has created for Arizona.

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