[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING FRANK MECHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Frank Mecham, a resident and community leader from Paso Robles, 
California, for his outstanding and exemplary leadership while serving 
as the mayor of Paso Robles from 2000 through 2008.
  Frank has been a longtime leader in local government, reflecting the 
same success, enthusiasm, care, and commitment to his community as nine 
generations of Mecham Californians and five generations of San Luis 
Obispo County Mechams before him. His great-great grandfather, Don 
Joaquin Estrada, was a member of the first County Board of Supervisors 
in 1852, and his father was Fire Chief at Fort Hunter Liggett for over 
20 years. Carrying on this tradition of public service, Frank served 
our country in the United States Navy and later began his political 
career on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning 
Commission for the City of Paso Robles. He was elected to the City 
Council in 1998 and served for two years. In 2000, Frank was the first 
mayor of Paso Robles to be directly elected by the voters (in the past, 
the mayoral post had rotated between elected city councilmembers).
  In 2003, Paso Robles felt the devastating effects of the San Simeon 
Earthquake. Frank showed strong leadership and composure throughout 
this natural disaster and guided the City through the aftermath and 
recovery efforts. Through his tireless efforts, the City of Paso Robles 
was able to rebuild faster and move forward onto the road to recovery 
quicker than anyone had expected. In addition, as mayor, he also 
oversaw the completion of the Barney Schwartz Park, the Public Safety 
Center, the Robert Rader Memorial 13th Street Bridge, and the Niblick 
Bridge expansion.
  In addition to his public service, Frank has also remained active in 
the Paso Robles community. Frank is a member of the Twin Cities 
Community Hospital Board of Governors, the Nacimiento Water Commission, 
and the Paso Robles High School Technology Academy. He has also coached 
youth baseball and football for over two decades in the community, 
established a youth football league which continues to this day, and 
created the first Youth Commission for the City in 1999. In 2004, Frank 
was honored by the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce as Roblan of the 
Year in recognition of his outstanding service to the local community.
  In a City named for its strong oak trees, Frank has stood strong in 
times of challenge, and helped create prosperity through a commitment 
to fiscal responsibility and transparent and accountable government. I 
commend Frank for his service and leadership as mayor of Paso Robles, 
and wish him and his family well as he continues to serve our community 
as a supervisor on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.

                          ____________________