[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF TED RADKE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2016

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
service of Ted Radke, longtime member of the Board of Directors for 
East Bay Regional Parks District.
  Ted and I shared a passion for conservation. During his 36 year 
tenure on the East Bay Regional Parks District's board, Ted oversaw and 
was a key part of the Park District's expansion and growth. 
Specifically, Ted was instrumental in ensuring that the Park District's 
acreage more than doubled. After he partnered with former 
Representative George Miller, the Park District and I worked together 
to push for an increase in the size of the John Muir National Historic 
Site. Ted's commitment to the Park District is evident in that he was 
the longest-serving board member in its history.
  In addition to his impressive stint on the Park District's board from 
1978 until 2014, Ted was a former Martinez City Councilman and still 
holds the title as the youngest person ever elected to the Martinez 
Council, at age 24. Predictably, he used his time on the Council to 
fight for the conservation of Martinez's waterfront and further the 
fight for environmental protection. Ted also served on the board of the 
Association of Bay Area Governments.
  Add to his public service a career at Contra Costa College, where Ted 
taught political science and history for 30 years, he also authored a 
book with his wife entitled ``The People's Choice: An Owner's Guide to 
Direct Democracy and Political Participation in California,'' and was 
co-founder of Contra Costa Ecology Action and Eco-Info.
  Ted was an inspiration and a friend. He passed away on August 28, 
2016. His wife, Kathy, died in 2011, and he is survived by two sons and 
several grandchildren.

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