[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 20, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E83]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF MIKE McGOWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 20, 2015

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of former Yolo 
County Supervisor Mike McGowan, to celebrate his career and many 
accomplishments. Mr. McGowan served the people of West Sacramento and 
Yolo County for nearly three decades and now is a leader with the State 
of California's Department of Motor Vehicles. I ask all my colleagues 
to join me in honoring him and celebrating his incredible contributions 
to our community.
  A lifetime Yolo County resident, Mr. McGowan served his nation in the 
United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After the war, he 
returned to Sacramento and graduated from California State University, 
Sacramento and the University of Pacific's McGeorge School of Law. He 
and his wife, Sue, have a daughter, Becky, and two grandchildren, 
Phoebe and Franklin.
  In 1987 Mr. McGowan began his illustrious career in public service. 
He was instrumental in the formation of the City of West Sacramento, 
serving as the city's first Mayor and continuing to serve on the City 
Council for six years. After his time on the City Council, Mr. McGowan 
was elected to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, where he 
represented the people of West Sacramento and Clarksburg for over two 
decades. He would serve as chairman of the Port of West Sacramento 
Commission, and as a board member of a number of organizations 
including Yolo County Transportation District, Delta Protection 
Commission, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Yolo County Housing 
Commission, Sacramento Regional Counties Sanitation District, 
Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Local Mental Health Board, 
Sacramento Area Trade & Commerce Advisory Board, Yolo-Solano Air 
Quality Management Board and as an officer on the California State 
Association of Counties' executive committee.
  Mr. McGowan worked tirelessly to protect our region's natural 
resources, promote agricultural growth, and improve Yolo County's 
economy. As a Supervisor, he worked with Governor Jerry Brown on the 
implementation of the Affordable Care Act. I have always enjoyed 
working closely with Mr. McGowan, as he has been a true partner on a 
number of critical issues; including complex water, flood protection 
and transportation projects.
  In 2013, Mr. McGowan was appointed by Governor Brown as Deputy 
Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for the Department of Motor 
Vehicles. In recognition of his steadfast commitment to the City of 
West Sacramento, the city named a bridge over the Barge Canal, the Mike 
McGowan Bridge and the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce has renamed 
their annual leadership award the Mike McGowan West Sacramentan of the 
Year Award. With these honors, future generations will know what Mike 
McGowan has meant to West Sacramento and Yolo County.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and 
recognizing former Supervisor Mike McGowan for his many years of 
exemplary public service and to wish him continued personal and 
professional success.

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