[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LARRY PARRISH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2008

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Riverside, California, are exceptional. Riverside has been fortunate to 
have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly and 
unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a 
better place to live and work. Larry Parrish is one of these 
individuals. On July 24, 2008, a retirement dinner will be held in 
honor of Larry's 16 years of service as the county executive officer 
for Riverside County.
  As the county executive officer, Larry manages county finances and 
operations, consistent with the policies established by the Board of 
Supervisors. In January 1995, supervisors centralized Mr. Parrish's 
managerial role by expanding his oversight of the many and diverse 
services provided to the county's 1.4 million residents. Under Larry's 
leadership, county departments have charted an aggressive course to 
meet the board's vision of targeting scarce resources to sustain high-
priority services despite State reductions to local funding.
  Mr. Parrish's 32-year career in county government includes key 
positions with both local and statewide focus. His experience as a 
county executive spans nearly 15 years, having served in this capacity 
in both Santa Barbara and Orange Counties. Prior to coming to Riverside 
County, he also spent 2 years as a Sacramento-based legislative 
advocate. Mr. Parrish entered county government in the probation field, 
rising to become chief probation officer for the counties of Santa Cruz 
and Santa Barbara.
  For 8 years, Mr. Parrish served as a school board member of Santa 
Cruz City Schools. He was an instructor at Cabrillo Junior College in 
Santa Cruz County and a lecturer at the U.C. Irvine Graduate School of 
Management. He has also served as a Finance Corporation Board Member 
for the California State Association of Counties. Larry received a B.A. 
in sociology from Northwest Nazarene College, Nampa, Idaho.
  In 1996, the University of California at Riverside named Mr. Parrish 
Public Management Leader of the Year. Mr. Parrish and his wife, Kathie, 
currently reside in Rancho Mirage, California. He has two grown 
children, one granddaughter and one grandson.
  Larry's tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the community of Riverside, California. 
I am proud to call Larry a fellow community member, American and 
friend. I know that many community members are grateful for his service 
and salute him as he retires.

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