[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SIG SANCHEZ OF GILROY, CA ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise along with my colleagues Ms. Zoe 
Lofgren, Mr. Jerry McNerney, and Ms. Anna Eshoo to honor Sig Sanchez, a 
truly dedicated public servant of California's 15th Congressional 
District. Sig, a resident of Gilroy, California, will retire this 
December, after 55 years of exemplary public service in Santa Clara 
County. His most recent service included 29 years as a Director and 
five-time Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara Valley 
Water District. Prior to this, Mr. Sanchez served as an elected member 
of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for 18 years, a Gilroy 
City Councilmember for 14 years, and Mayor of the City of Gilroy for 
five years.
  During his busy and productive career, Mr. Sanchez has also been an 
active member of numerous national, state, and local water resource 
affiliations, including the Agricultural Water Advisory Committee, 
Central Valley Project Authority, Pajaro River Watershed Flood 
Prevention Authority, San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority Board 
and Finance Committee, Uvas/Llagas Flood Control and Watershed Advisory 
Committee, Santa Clara Valley Water Commission, Santa Clara Valley 
Water District Board Ad Hoc Audit Committee, and the South County 
Regional Wastewater Authority.
  Even while dedicating so much of his time to water issues, Sig did 
not lose focus on the big picture, helping to strengthen the local 
community through his efforts with HOPE Rehabilitation, Wheeler 
Hospital Foundation Board, South Valley Hospital, Health Dimensions 
Inc., Odd-Fellows and Rebekah Children's Home, and the Gilroy Elks 
Club.
  In 1991, Mr. Sanchez was inducted into the Gilroy Hall of Fame and 
was honored and recognized with a 10-mile portion of state Highway 
Route 101 named for him. His work as a farmer and businessman, along 
with his years as public servant to the water community as a leader 
during very tumultuous times, has won him the hearts and good will of 
all who know him.
  Our community is grateful to Sig Sanchez for his dedication to public 
service and contributions to the residents of Santa Clara County, and 
we wish him well in retirement.

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