[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A TRIBUTE TO YUCAIPA, CALIFORNIA, CITY MANAGER JOHN TOOKER

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, September 28, 2008

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John 
Tooker, a fine public servant who has dedicated the past 17 years to 
making the city of Yucaipa, California, a better place to live. After 
serving as city manager for all but 2 years of Yucaipa's cityhood, Mr. 
Tooker has announced his retirement.
  A native Californian, John Tooker was bitten by the public service 
bug early in his life, graduating from California State University at 
Long Beach with a specialty in public administration. He has worked in 
city and county government continuously since then and, through his 
hard work, has helped improve many communities in California.
  John Tooker came to my congressional district in 1991 as the city 
manager for Yucaipa, California. Since his arrival, the city of Yucaipa 
has always passed a balanced budget. In addition to his good fiscal 
housekeeping, Mr. Tooker has been instrumental in building up the parks 
and community recreation areas during his tenure. He negotiated the 
purchase of 32.5 acres for a community park site in 1996 and, in the 
years following, oversaw the construction of a Community Park, 
Community Center, City Hall and Fire Station No.3.
  In addition, the Teen Center and Senior Center have been enlarged and 
remodeled and numerous city parks have been renovated. With the local 
community college, the city purchased an Olympic size swimming pool 
which will be placed in a beautiful new facility for the entire 
community. The residents of Yucaipa and their families have these great 
places to relax in no small part due to John's leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, John Tooker and his wife are the proud grandparents of a 
baby grandson, Luke Jonathan Tooker, who was born last month. He will 
now be able to spend a lot more time with Luke. Please join me in 
wishing John Tooker health and happiness in his retirement and thank 
him for his many years of dedicated service.

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