[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 92 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF MITCH AVALON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2011

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, Representatives George Miller, Jerry 
McNerney and I rise today in honor of Mitch Avalon, who has served the 
Contra Costa County Public Works Department for the last 32 years. As 
his colleagues, friends, and family gather together to celebrate the 
next chapter of his life, we ask all of our colleagues to join us in 
saluting this outstanding public servant.
  Mitch Avalon began his journey with the Contra Costa County Public 
Works Department in 1979 as a civil engineer, where his diligent hard 
work was recognized and he quickly assumed the title and duties of 
Deputy Public Works Director, a position which he has held to this day. 
In addition to his position with the Contra Costa County Public Works 
Department, Mr. Avalon has also served as the Deputy Chief Engineer for 
the Contra Costa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, 
further demonstrating his commitment to public service.
  While working for Contra Costa County, Mr. Avalon contributed to the 
creation of numerous county public works projects and programs, 
including the Capital Road Improvement Program, Clean Water Program, 
and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum. His work was instrumental in 
creating the annual Contra Costa County Watershed Symposium, which has 
become an incredible asset to the community. If not for his efforts, 
many of Contra Costa County's public works projects and programs would 
not have come to fruition.
  Mitch Avalon's contributions have not only been an incredible asset 
to Contra Costa County but to the entire Bay Area. Mr. Avalon sits on 
the boards of directors for Friends of the San Francisco Estuary, 
California Central Valley Flood Control Association, and San Francisco 
Estuary Institute. In addition, he was the founding chair for the Bay 
Area Flood Protection Agencies Association.
  In recognition of the integral role he has played in establishing 
sound public investment throughout the region, Mr. Avalon has been the 
recipient of many outstanding community awards over the years. In 2005 
he was presented with the California State Association of Counties 
``Circle of Service Award'' and in 2007 he was honored by the Contra 
Costa County Watershed Forum with the ``Watershed Champion of the Year 
Award.'' His legacy will live on through the series of public works 
projects, programs and associations he helped create and the 
communities they serve.
  The long-lasting benefits of Mitch Avalon's career accomplisInnents 
not only benefit our generation but will improve our communities for 
generations to come; they stand as a testament to what diligent work 
and true commitment to community can produce.
  Mr. Speaker, we are truly honored to pay tribute to our friend and 
dedicated public servant Mitch Avalon. We ask our colleagues to join 
with us in thanking Mr. Avalon for his long and dedicated service to 
the citizens of Contra Costa County and wishing him continued success 
in all his future endeavors along with a happy retirement.

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