[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO ROBERT OTIS ``BOB'' PRICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 31, 2011

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert 
Otis ``Bob'' Price, a dedicated community leader and friend who passed 
away on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at the age of 79. Bob was a family 
man committed to public service who always looked to give back to our 
community, our State, and our Nation.
  Bob was born in Abilene, Kansas on January 4, 1932 and moved with his 
family to San Luis Obispo in 1937. The Price family eventually moved to 
Bakersfield in 1947 where he graduated from Kern County Union High 
School (now Bakersfield High School) in 1949. In 1952, Bob was drafted 
by the U.S. Army and became a Mess Sergeant in the 5th Army.
  After being honorably discharged from active duty, Bob returned to 
Bakersfield. His career at the Bakersfield Police Department soon began 
after a police sergeant from church suggested that he apply. This 
recommendation set up his successful 32-year career with the 
Department. Bob spent his first 30 days in ``rookie school,'' as it was 
called, and was quickly promoted to ``motor cop.'' According to his 
family, Bob loved being a motorcycle cop and according to him he ``had 
a motor in (his) garage when (he) made Chief of Police.'' Bob rose 
through the ranks having made Sergeant in 1964, Lieutenant in 1966, 
Captain in 1970, and eventually Chief of Police in 1973. He retired in 
1988 after 15 years as chief.
  He was elected Mayor of the City of Bakersfield in 1992 and he spent 
eight successful years in office before his second term ended in 2001. 
Bob worked to help Bakersfield continue to prosper during this time by 
working on projects like the Centennial Garden arena, the downtown 
streetscape, and the restoration of the Fox Theatre.
  During the final years of his life, Bob still worked to help his 
community. Bob helped me by serving as district coordinator in my 
California State Assembly office when I was first elected. Then in 
2009, Bob saw that the Bakersfield Police Department was overcrowded 
because the department was understaffed and, as was always his way, Bob 
found a solution. He started a program to bring in retired police 
department staff to help with all of the paperwork.
  Bob loyally served his community in a distinguished career. He was a 
strong, genuine, straight talking leader and he will be dearly missed. 
Additionally, he will always be remembered as a dedicated husband, 
father, and grandfather. Bob and his first wife Dorothy, who had a long 
battle with cancer, had two sons Fred and Donald.
  Bob is survived by his wife, Sandi and his son, Fred, his 
grandchildren, Erin and Robert, and Sandi's daughter Kim and her 
husband Jim, and their children Audrey, Robert, and Lauren. His life 
was devoted to serving his community. He will be remembered as a man of 
deep faith, a strong leader, and a role model who remains respected by 
many.

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