[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MARION ASHLEY'S 80TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2015

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose commitment and contributions to the community of 
Riverside County, California are exceptional. Riverside County has been 
fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly 
and unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a 
better place to live and work. Marion Ashley is one of these 
individuals. On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, my good friend Marion 
Ashley is celebrating his 80th birthday.
  Marion Ashley is a dedicated family man. He has been married to his 
wife Mary for 54 years. Together they have six children, 19 
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. As a lifelong resident of 
Riverside County, Marion has had an extensive and decorated career of 
public service working tirelessly to improve the lives of his fellow 
citizens and local communities.
  After years working in the private sector in both real estate and 
accounting, Marion started his journey of public service by serving as 
a Riverside Planning Commissioner in 1973. He then brought his talents 
over to the Eastern Municipal Water District when he was elected in 
1992. In 2002, he was elected to Riverside County Board of Supervisors 
where he has been serving for the past 13 years. While overseeing the 
5th District in Riverside County, Marion has worked to enact public 
policy for the 2.3 million people he serves and manages a $4.7 billion 
budget.
  Marion has brought his expertise over the years to four very crucial 
areas of public policy in the state of California including water, 
jobs, transportation, and forward planning. His hard work and 
dedication has not been unnoticed by the communities he serves and his 
peers. Marion is the only County Supervisor that has had the honor of 
being chosen as the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, the Western 
Riverside Council of Governments, and the Coachella Valley Association 
of Governments.
  In addition to his many years of public service to the Riverside 
County community, Marion and his family have donated hundreds of acres 
of land in the hills close to the city of Perris, California to become 
a permanent nature preserve.
  I am proud to call Marion a close friend, fellow community member and 
great American. And today, I add my voice to the many who will be 
congratulating him on the celebration of his 80th birthday.

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