[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 160 (Thursday, September 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1322-E1323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ROBERT B. PRESLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2018

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
former California State Senator and Riverside County icon Robert B. 
Presley, who passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Bob served 
the people of California and Riverside County in many ways throughout 
his life and he will be deeply missed.
  Bob was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to Doyle and Ann Presley, on 
December 4, 1924. He joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and was 
awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action while serving 
with the Fifth Army in Italy during World War II. After attending 
college at Riverside Community College and the University of 
California, Riverside, Bob joined the Riverside County Sheriff's 
Department, where he would have a 24-year career. Early in his career 
at the Sheriff's Department, Presley was known as Riverside County's 
top homicide investigator. In the second half of his career with the 
department, Bob served as Riverside County Undersheriff to long-time 
Sheriff Ben Clark.
  Following his law enforcement career, Bob entered the world of 
politics and was elected to the State Senate in 1974, where he served 
as a Democrat representing both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties 
until 1994. Over the years, Bob worked on many different pieces of 
legislation and helped fund a number of important programs and projects 
as the Chairman of the California Senate Appropriations Committee. Bob 
was an especially impactful advocate for the environment, prison 
expansion and reform, and victims of domestic violence. Thanks to Bob's 
efforts, the state established the first shelters to protect battered 
women and children. After retiring from the

[[Page E1323]]

legislature, Bob was appointed to serve as Chair of the State Parole 
Board by Republican Governor Pete Wilson and, later, to serve as 
Secretary of Youth and Adult Corrections by Democratic Governor Gray 
Davis.
  Senator Presley was predeceased by his first wife, Ahni Ratliff 
Presley. He is survived by his second wife, Susan Foreman Presley; his 
three adult children; Robert Presley, Jr., Donna Danielson, and Marilyn 
Raphael; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. I want to 
extend my heartfelt condolences to the Presley family, his friends, and 
everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Although Bob may be gone, 
the many life-changing contributions he made in Riverside County will 
have a lasting impact.

                          ____________________