[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        IN HONOR OF VINZ KOLLER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2016

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable 
public service of Vinz Koller, who has worked tirelessly to strengthen 
and improve the American democratic process, both nationally and in 
Monterey County, California. As an immigrant who chose to be an 
American, Vinz embodies the core civic values of our nation's 
citizenship. Those of us who have had the great good fortune to have 
known Vinz over the years have all been touched by his tremendous 
integrity and boundless determination. So it is my pleasure to join 
with my Monterey County Democratic Party friends in recognizing Vinz 
for his invaluable support for strengthening democracy.
   Vinz came to Monterey County to study at the Monterey Institute of 
International Studies after earning a BA in political science and 
English from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Professionally, 
he is Director of Training and Technical Assistance at Social Policy 
Research Associates and is in frequent demand as trainer and 
facilitator on a wide range of workforce development related topics for 
the U.S. Department of Labor and state and local agencies. Vinz likes 
to hike the Big Sur coastline, paddle on the bay in his kayak, climb 
Sierra peaks on skis or ride the bike trails at the former Fort Ord. He 
is a passionate bread baker and for ten seasons has been singing in the 
Carmel Bach Festival chorus.
   Vinz played an active role in the 2004 presidential campaign at the 
Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC, as well as Arizona and 
Oregon. This experience energized Vinz to improve the community level 
Democratic Party infrastructure in his home community. In 2004 and 
2005, he was a vital member of the ``Boots Camp'' team that designed an 
ambitious new strategy that would establish the Monterey County 
Democrats as one of most effective central committees in California.
   Later, Vinz set up a countywide precinct program for the Monterey 
County Democrats, managed the 2008 presidential and 2012 special 
election campaigns, and is currently working the 2016 campaign. Vinz 
chaired the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee from 2006 to 
2016. In that capacity he led the way in executing and refining 
strategy as the local Democratic party helped elect a list of great 
Democratic candidates, train hundreds of volunteers, and establish a 
culture of excellence and integrity, which in turn has been 
instrumental in attracting many new members. He is currently the 
Campaign Coordinator for the Monterey County Democrats and Chair of the 
Democratic 27th Assembly District Committee and is on the Executive 
Board of the California Democratic Party.
   Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in thanking Vinz for 
his dedicated civic involvement. The strength of our Republic depends 
on the tireless efforts of the women and men like Vinz who make our 
democracy vibrant and representative.

                          ____________________