[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MANUEL LOPEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor Mr. 
Manuel Lopez, San Joaquin County Administrator, who retired after more 
than 25 years of outstanding service to our county.
  Manuel was born in Pacoima (Los Angeles County) and was raised in 
Selma (Fresno County). After graduating from Selma high school, Manuel 
joined the Air Force for four years. Immediately after he was 
discharged, he worked for the California Department of Water Resources 
but left the job to attend Fresno City College on the G.I. Bill, where 
he subsequently earned a Civil Engineering degree from Fresno State. 
While attending Fresno State, he was involved with a group of students 
associated with the Fresno area ``War on Poverty'' and was a member of 
the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 
Manuel's first professional job was with Tulare County, and then the 
City of Fresno, where he ultimately became the Deputy City Engineer.
  Shortly after he started working at the City of Fresno, Manuel, 
together with several friends, started The Del Rey Y's Men Club in Del 
Rey, California--a branch of the National YMCA. The Club mentored boys 
from 12 to 18 years of age on how to act responsibly and how to be 
involved in the community.
  Manuel and his wife, Sylvia, moved to Ripon in San Joaquin County in 
1985, when he was appointed the Assistant Public Works Director. He 
concurrently served as the Interim City of Lathrop Engineer, when the 
City was formed in 1989. From 1991 to 1998, he served on the City of 
Ripon Economic Development Committee, twice as Chairman. In 1999, he 
served as President of the Sacramento Chapter of the American Public 
Works Association. Subsequently, in March 2000, Manuel was appointed 
the County Public Works Director. Just as he started to enjoy that 
role, in July 2001, the Board of Supervisors appointed him as the 
interim County Administrator and appointed him on a permanent basis in 
November. His nearly 12 years in this position is longer than any of 
his predecessors.
  Over the years, Manuel has been recognized for serving on the 
following associations and organizations: American Public Works 
Association, where he served as the Sacramento Chapter President in 
1999; County Engineer's Association of California (CEAC); County 
Administrative Officers Association of California (CAOAC); Ripon 
Economic Development Committee, where he served as Chairman in 1993; 
San Joaquin Engineer's Council; Chairman San Joaquin March of Dimes 
Fund Drive; and the San Joaquin County Historical Society.
  Manuel and Sylvia have been married for 38 years and have four adult 
children and seven grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and commending San Joaquin 
County Administrator Mr. Manuel Lopez after numerous years of selfless 
service to the betterment of our community.

                          ____________________