[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO PAT O'BRIEN, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK 
                                DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 27, 2008

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join 
with my colleagues Ellen Tauscher, Barbara Lee, Pete Stark, and Jerry 
McNerney in honoring Pat O'Brien for his many accomplishments and 
contributions to the East Bay Regional Park District, a world-class 
system of parks and trails throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties 
in the San Francisco Bay Area.
  Pat O'Brien has provided remarkable leadership as the general manager 
of the East Bay Regional Park District, and our congressional districts 
have been greatly enhanced by his two decades of service. On the 20th 
anniversary of his leadership there, it is our great privilege to pay 
tribute to his work in the Congressional Record. 
  His service to public parks and recreation in California began at the 
Southgate Recreation and Park District in the Sacramento area. Due to 
his innovative ideas and pioneering work at Southgate, he was hired as 
the East Bay Regional Park District's general manager. Over the next 20 
years, Pat has accomplished more than many could in a lifetime of 
service.
  Under his leadership, the park district has acquired over 32,000 
acres of new parklands, and has added 17 parks and more than 100 miles 
of regional trails. The East Bay Regional Park District today includes 
98,000 acres and 65 parks, a remarkable achievement in protecting and 
providing open space access to the citizens of one of the densely 
developed regions of the country. And while expanding to ensure that 
all of our communities are served, Pat O'Brien and the East Bay 
Regional Park District have built strong relationships throughout the 
region so that their important projects and initiatives have widespread 
support.
  The East Bay Regional Park District during Pat O'Brien's tenure has 
been a wise steward not only over the parks, trails, and natural and 
cultural resources of the East Bay Area, but of the taxpayers' money as 
well. The Park District has brought in more than $75 million in 
matching funds, and they have worked through ballot measures and 
assessment districts to provide stable funding for their good work.
  Pat O'Brien's public service is an example to us all, and we are 
lucky to have his vision and his commitment in the East Bay. We have 
all benefitted by his leadership, and on behalf of all of our 
constituents, it is an honor to recognize Pat O'Brien on the occasion 
of his 20th anniversary as general manager of the East Bay Regional 
Park District.

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