[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF THE CAREER OF JOHN SHIELS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2016

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of John 
Shiels. John is a committed community servant in my hometown of 
Sacramento, California, who has dedicated much of his life to improving 
flood protection for the people who live there.
  For the past decade, John served honorably on the Board of Trustees 
of Reclamation District 1000, which is responsible for maintaining the 
levees that protect the Natomas basin in Sacramento. John's leadership 
on the board of Reclamation District 1000 included sitting on the 
Executive, Urbanization, and Personnel Committees; in this capacity, 
John made many positive contributions to Sacramento's levee safety.
  His association with Reclamation District 1000 led to John serving as 
a member of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), which has 
been an invaluable partner to me in my efforts to ensure that 
Sacramento has the highest possible level of flood protection. John's 
term on SAFCA was characterized by his strong leadership, astute 
coalition-building, and unwavering commitment to public safety.
  Not all of John's career was spent protecting Sacramento from 
flooding. Indeed, before he became a Trustee of Reclamation District 
1000, John spent a distinguished career with several Fortune 500 
companies as a senior information systems executive. Prior to his 
professional career, he served with the U.S. Navy Supply Corps, earning 
several commendations.
  Now that John has retired, he volunteers in the Natomas community and 
across the Sacramento region. He is currently President of the River 
Oaks Community Association, and assists with administrative 
responsibilities for his church.
  Those of us in Sacramento who care about protecting our community 
from flooding owe a debt of gratitude to John for his years of 
distinguished service on SAFCA and at Reclamation District 1000. I wish 
John a happy and fulfilling retirement, and respectfully ask that my 
colleagues acknowledge him today.

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