[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E73-E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING PAT O'BRIEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 19, 2011

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my 
colleagues Congressman John Garamendi, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, 
Congressman Jerry McNerney, and Congressman Pete Stark to recognize 
East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Pat O'Brien and 
congratulate him as he approaches his well-earned retirement.
  Mr. O'Brien's career in public service demonstrates his lifelong 
commitment to the citizens and communities of the East Bay. We are 
grateful to him for his service to our constituents.
  Mr. O'Brien held his first park and recreation job at the age of 13, 
giving swimming lessons and performing maintenance at a local salt 
water swimming club. After serving in the U.S. Army, he came back to 
California where he worked at Southgate Recreation and Park District in 
the Sacramento area. From 1980 to 1988, he served as Southgate's 
general manager prior to taking on the same position with the East Bay 
Regional Park District.
  For the past 22 years, he has guided the largest regional park agency 
in the United

[[Page E74]]

States, with nearly 108,000 acres of parklands spread across 65 
regional parks and over 1,100 miles of trails in Alameda and Contra 
Costa Counties. Approximately 14 million visitors a year from 
throughout the San Francisco Bay area and beyond take advantage of the 
vast and diverse District parklands and trails.
  During his tenure, the district has acquired over 40,000 acres of new 
parklands, adding 17 new parks, doubling the size of 12 existing 
regional parks, and adding more than 200 miles of new regional trails. 
He has attracted more than $105 million in matching funds--including 
this year's historic $10.2 million Tiger II award. He has successfully 
secured stable funding through ballot measures and by creating 
assessment districts, and refinanced existing district bonds at lower 
rates, saving taxpayers over $14 million. Every community in the East 
Bay has received at least one park, recreation or community center 
project funded through his efforts.
  His dedication to serving the public through the parks and recreation 
procession is the legacy he will leave behind. His career has been 
guided by the desire to make substantive contributions to society and 
to people's lives. His firm leadership has helped to preserve the 
priceless heritage of our region's natural and cultural resources--open 
space, parks and trails--and to set aside park areas for enjoyment and 
healthful recreation for current and future generations.
  Mr. Speaker, we invite our colleagues to join us in honoring General 
Manager Pat O'Brien for his dedicated service to the people of 
California and the Bay Area. We are pleased to join with his family, 
colleagues, and friends in congratulating Pat on a long and highly 
successful career and wish him a happy and healthy retirement.

                          ____________________