[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 103 (Friday, June 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF DAVE MORA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2008

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dave Mora, 
who is retiring after 35 years of exemplary public service to his 
community and his country. Dave's public life began with the Boy Scouts 
and culminates with 17 years as city manager of Salinas, California. 
Dave began his career in California local government in 1973 with the 
city of Santa Barbara as Director of Community Relations. He also 
served as the city manager of the city of Oxnard and Town Manager of 
Los Gatos, but Mora said the years in Salinas were some of the best in 
his life. This is where he and his wife Judy raised their two 
daughters, Gabi and Teresa.
  In 1990, Dave Mora came to Salinas to serve as the city manager. 
Salinas is the largest city in my congressional district and the seat 
of Monterey County government, so I have had the pleasure of working 
closely with Dave Mora since I was elected to Congress in 1993. During 
his tenure as city manager, Dave has faced continuing challenges 
resulting from State budget crises, yet he was able to restore Salinas' 
budget from red ink to black ink by making tough decisions while 
ensuring that the most critical public safety and social services 
remained in place. Dave's financial acumen enabled city leadership to 
assure city residents that their shared sacrifice, however painful in 
the short-run, would result in a financially stronger Salinas.
  Dave's city manager skills have been honed by his participation in 
the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) where he 
served as president and was involved in a number of international 
initiatives, including work in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. He 
currently serves on the ICMA Retirement Corporation Board of Directors. 
Mora is also a member of the National Academy of Public Administration 
and has worked on such issues as citizen engagement, social equity, 
environmental management, and economic development.
  Mora's interest in these issues and his career in public service may 
have been shaped by his experience in the Peace Corps whose motto is, 
``The toughest job you'll ever love.'' Dave served in the Philippines 
from 1967 to 1970, after he graduated from California State University 
Los Angeles. Following his Peace Corps service, Dave earned a master's 
degree in public and international affairs at University of Pittsburgh.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues in the House of Representatives 
join me in wishing Dave Mora happiness in his well-earned retirement 
from ``the toughest jobs he ever loved.'' His commitment to public 
service is a life well lived.

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