[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E245-E246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF GEORGE RIOS UPON HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
the life and accomplishments of a distinguished member of my community, 
George Rios. After more than thirty years of service, George is 
retiring from the City of San Jose on March 6, 2010.
  In the great tradition of the American Dream, Mr. Rios is the son of 
Mexican immigrants. He grew up in Oakland, California and spoke no 
English as a child. His father was a

[[Page E246]]

stucco factory worker, and his mother took care of George along with 
his 2 brothers and 1 sister. To help support the family, George and his 
brothers and sister took odd jobs, such as picking fruit, and loading 
and unloading produce.
  Mr. Rios graduated from high school in 1969, and then went to college 
at San Jose State University and graduated in 1974. He graduated from 
University of California's Davis King Hall School of Law in 1977.
  After completing his legal studies, George worked at San Jose Legal 
Aid helping indigent clients with civil legal issues. After two and a 
half years at Legal Aid, George was hired at the Office of the San Jose 
City Attorney. He began work in January of 1980 under then-City 
Attorney Bob Logan. After only five years, he was promoted to the 
position of Assistant City Attorney. George has handled complex 
lawsuits for the City including arguing numerous cases in State and 
Federal courts. He has argued 2 cases before the California Supreme 
Court and assisted in arguing one case before the United States Supreme 
Court.
  George has served on the Mayors' Gang Prevention Task Force and the 
Task Force to implement Fast Track rules in Superior Court. He has been 
active in the Bar, served as a pro tem judge, a trustee for the Santa 
Clara County Bar Association, and as a member of the La Raza Lawyers 
Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the 
Almaden Valley Counseling Center, and as a member of the California 
Council for Criminal Justice and the Legal Advocacy Committee of the 
League of California Cities.
  George is a tremendous role model and is a valued member of the San 
Jose community. I wish him, his wife and three sons the very best as he 
enjoys his retirement.

                          ____________________