[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE WORK OF HARRY ARMSTRONG ON THE CLOVIS CITY COUNCIL

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2016

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Harry Armstrong 
for his 46 years of service as a member on the Clovis City Council. Mr. 
Armstrong's tireless work on behalf of the city of Clovis has left a 
lasting mark on the community.
  Mr. Armstrong was born and raised in Merced, California. After 
graduating from Merced Union High School, he joined the United States 
Military and served in the Korean War. He is the proud father of three 
children, Tom, Jim, and Megan.
  Upon completing his military service, Mr. Armstrong worked as the 
Transportation Manager for Foster Farms Dairy until he was appointed to 
the Clovis Planning Commission in 1966. After serving on the 
Commission, he decided to run for the Clovis City Council in 1970 and 
went on to win that election, along with the next 12 City Council 
elections. This makes him the longest tenured elected official in 
California state history. During his time on City Council, Mr. 
Armstrong served as the Mayor of Clovis five times.
  Mr. Armstrong has been credited with many projects that have taken 
place in the City of Clovis. He was involved with the city's Research 
and Technology Park, Clovis Community Medical Center, Old Town Clovis, 
Clovis Police and Fire Department's headquarters, the city's civic 
center, and Highway 168. Mr. Armstrong has devoted his life to ensure 
the improvement and success of the city in a way that the city could 
never repay him.
  In addition to his service on the City Council, Mr. Armstrong sat on 
numerous boards and commissions in the Valley and state. These include 
the Fresno County Water Advisory Board, the Fresno County 
Transportation Authority, the Association of Metropolitan Water 
Agencies, the League of California Cities as the South San Joaquin 
Valley Division Director, the City Undergrounding Committee, the Fresno 
Visitors and Convention Bureau representative, and the president of the 
League of California Cities from 1982-1983. Mr. Armstrong has also been 
a member of the Clovis Rodeo Association, the D.A.R.E. Board, United 
Way, and a former Boy Scouts and Explorer Post leader.
  Mr. Armstrong has been recognized for his many contributions to the 
cities of Fresno and Clovis. Some of these awards were the League of 
California Cities' Award for Service and Contributions to the Board of 
Directors, the 2015 Fresno Council of Governments Regional Forum: 
Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence, Leadership & Commitment, and 
the Rose Ann Vuich Ethical Leadership Award; as well as being inducted 
into the Clovis Hall of Fame in 2010, and being named the Grand Marshal 
of the Clovis Rodeo Association in 2015.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Harry 
Armstrong's service as a Clovis City Council Member. His lifelong 
devotion to the community is evident in his work as a public servant

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