[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING KEN FARFSING

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. ALAN S. LOWENTHAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 2015

  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Ken 
Farfsing, upon his retirement as the City Manager of the City of Signal 
Hill, California on June 30, 2015.
  I've had the pleasure of working with Ken on local and state-wide 
issues for almost 20 years while serving on the Long Beach City 
Council, in the California State Legislature, and now in the U.S. 
Congress, and I consider him to be a dear friend.
  Ken has over 33 years of experience in community development, 
redevelopment, economic development and city management in five 
Southern California communities. Ken has spent the last 19 years 
serving the City of Signal Hill, and I am honored to recognize his 
outstanding career.
  Ken began his career with the City of Santa Fe Springs, California in 
1981 as an intern. In 1985 he was promoted to Community Development 
Director.
  In 1988 he continued his career as the Community Development Director 
for the City of Downey. He later became Downey's Assistant City Manager 
and Director of Economic Development. He served as the City Manager of 
the City of South Pasadena for four years before coming to Signal Hill.
  Under his guidance, the city established three commercial centers, 
Town Center North, Town Center West and the Signal Hill Gateway Center. 
He facilitated the relocation of a Mercedes Benz dealership to Signal 
Hill and the expansion of Glenn E. Thomas Dodge Auto Dealership, 
growing sales tax revenues from 6 million dollars to more than 12 
million dollars. Additionally, he completed the development of six 
community parks and a new police station.
  Ken has been active in regional issues and a leader with expertise on 
water issues, working with the 27 area Gateway Cities Council of 
Government on water, storm water and urban runoff regulation and 
practices. He served as chair of the City Manager's Steering Committee 
for the Gateway Cities Manager's Group and was a member of the ``Water 
Quality Task Force'' of the League of California.
  Ken Farfsing's leadership and service to the community of Signal Hill 
will be greatly missed. I want to wish him the very best as he retires. 
His impact on the city will always be remembered.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to ask all of my distinguished colleagues 
to join me in thanking Ken Farfsing for his 19 years of public service 
with the City of Signal Hill.

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