[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 1, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE
                         W. R. ``BOB'' HOLCOMB

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
reflecting on the life, accomplishments and service of the late W. R. 
``Bob'' Holcomb. Mr. Holcomb was well-known as a committed civil rights 
activist and visionary on behalf of the city. Mr. Holcomb held the 
distinction of being the longest serving mayor in the city of San 
Bernardino's history, serving for a total of 18 years, from 1971 to 
1985 and 1989 to 1993. Mr. Holcomb passed away on November 29, 2010.
  Mr. Holcomb grew up in San Bernardino and attended San Bernardino 
High School, graduating in 1940. After high school, Mr. Holcomb 
continued his education at UC Berkeley. Like many others of his 
generation, he grew into adulthood in a military uniform. Mr. Holcomb 
left UC Berkeley to join the U.S. Army in 1942, serving as a bomber 
pilot. After the war, Mr. Holcomb married Pearl Pennington in 1946 and 
returned to UC Berkeley, graduating in 1949. He continued his studies 
on the other side of San Francisco Bay and earned his law degree from 
UC Hastings College of Law in 1950.
  Mr. Holcomb's experiences in the military and later as an attorney 
helped to mature him into being the extraordinarily effective leader 
for the people of San Bernardino that he was. Mayor Holcomb helped 
further the socioeconomic progress of San Bernardino, spearheading 
projects such as the establishment of the city's first affirmative 
action office; the relocation of Little League Baseball regional 
headquarters to San Bernardino; the founding of California State 
University, San Bernardino; and forging an alliance with neighboring 
cities to create Omnitrans--the region's first transportation agency--
to represent the area's best interest. According to longtime San 
Bernardino journalist Cassie McDuff, ``He did what he thought was best 
for the city . . . and didn't care if he got credit or not.''
  I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Holcomb's family and 
friends. He will be missed.

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