[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E25-E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RICHARD L. MAHACEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 17, 2012

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard Mahacek 
in the event of his retirement after four decades of service with 
Merced County and the University of California, Division of Agriculture 
and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension.
  Richard began his youth development career in 1975 in the California 
Counties of Sonoma, Napa and San Benito as a 4-H Assistant implementing 
youth programs. Richard then moved on to Merced County where he became 
responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of 4-H 
educational programs as the 4-H Youth Development Advisor. He has 
continued in this assignment for over 35 years. In 2005, he also 
assumed the role of Merced County Director for all Cooperative 
Extension programs.
  In addition to his work with Merced County, Richard became the 
California statewide 4-H contact for Mechanical Science/Engineering 
project areas beginning in 1995. Richard's involvement and direction 
for the Mechanical Sciences and Engineering projects stems from his 
interest, degrees and credentials in Industrial Arts and Technology. 
His curiosity in technology was fostered in his youth by participating 
in electrical, woodworking and safety projects as a 4-H member in 
Sonoma County. His work over the years has included development of 
curriculum and activities in science processes, robotics, computers, 
GIS/GPS, bio-security, and environmental issues such as watersheds and 
wildlife habitats. He has provided numerous workshops and training 
sessions on science processes, inquiry and experiential learning as 
implemented through various 4-H curricula locally, statewide and 
nationally.
  Richard has partnered with other groups to extend technology programs 
including the California Girls Collaborative, Challenger Learning 
Centers, Merced County Office of Education, the California Division of 
Recycling, 4-H/Military Kids program, Society of Women Engineers, 21st 
Century Community Learning Centers and state supported after school 
programs. He serves on the executive board of the Challenger Learning 
Center of the San Joaquin Valley and is a member of the California 
Industrial and Technology Education Association and the International 
Technology and Engineering Educators Association.
  Richard has been married to his beautiful wife Susan for over 32 
years. Together they have three grown children. Their son Mark works 
for an office of education working in computer networking and 
technology support and his wife Marissa is a teacher in Planada. Paul 
is a mechanical engineer who is working on an ocean acidification 
research project in the South of France and his wife Lindsay is an

[[Page E26]]

Accountant. Their daughter Anne is a mechanical engineer who is working 
on a Masters program in Mechatronics.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Mr. Richard 
Mahacek for his years of dedication to the 4-H students and program.

                          ____________________