[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 13 (Thursday, January 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. JOE PANIAGUA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2009

  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the loyal 
service rendered to the City of Fort Worth, Texas by Mr. Joe Paniagua 
from 1986 until his retirement in December 2008.
  As a former member of the city council and Mayor of Fort Worth, I had 
the opportunity of working directly with ``Joe P.,'' as he is known by 
all at City Hall.
  Although a native of Corpus Christi, Joe P. joined the City of Fort 
Worth's employment rolls in 1986 as a Municipal Courts customer service 
representative. He held a series of positions before being promoted to 
be the city's chief state and federal legislative program coordinator 
and grants manager. In that capacity, he faithfully and tirelessly 
represented the city through six Texas Legislative Sessions, from 1991 
through 2001.
  Joe P. spent countless hours driving that long and lonely stretch of 
I-35 back and forth each week between Fort Worth and Austin in loyal 
service to our city. I have heard stories of his sleeping on friends' 
couches in Austin in the early days in order to save the city money.
  His hard work paid off on many issues that benefitted our community 
including the successful passage of legislation creating a revenue-
sharing program between Fort Worth and Dallas, which supports DFW 
Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. Joe P. also worked 
to streamline Texas crime district laws and to secure legislation 
allowing municipalities to include ``best value'' as consideration for 
purchases.
  Joe P. was promoted to Assistant City Manager in September 2001 and 
retired as First Assistant City Manager on December 31, 2008.
  Not only has Joe P. been a loyal public servant to our city, but he 
and his wife Elsa and their two children, Jose Francisco and Elissa, 
are well known and beloved citizens of our community.
  In closing, I can say without reservation that the City of Fort 
Worth, Texas and our community at large have benefitted from the 
service of Joe Paniagua. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Joe Paniagua and his family upon the occasion of his retirement.

                          ____________________