[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E55-E56]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF BILL O'MALLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2019

  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with 
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman 
Mike Thompson, and Congressman Jerry McNerney to recognize Bill 
O'Malley for his public service and legacy in our East Bay community.
  Bill was born in Boston in 1924 and served in the U.S. Navy at a 
young age. After World War II, he studied at Fordham University in New 
York. In 1953, Bill and his wife, Claire Dunn, moved to California 
where they raised nine children. He graduated first in his class from 
Golden Gate University School of Law while attending at night.
  A lifetime public servant, Bill held almost every role in Contra 
Costa County's legal system. He served as a deputy district attorney, 
deputy public defender, and was a founding member of the county's 
public defender's office. In 1968, Bill was appointed as Contra Costa 
County's District Attorney. During his 16-year tenure, he helped open 
the county's first rape crisis center and domestic violence shelter. 
Following his years as district attorney, Bill was elected to be a 
Superior Court judge where he presided over criminal, civil, and family 
law until his retirement in 1995.
  Outside of the courtroom, Bill was an avid outdoorsman and traveler. 
He visited every state in the United States and visited all national 
parks and historic monuments, a feat not easily accomplished. In his 
retirement he loved spending time with his family and exploring his 
passion for history by studying World War I and visiting European 
battlegrounds.
  His proudest achievement, though, was his family. Bill is survived by 
his sister, Grace Fitzgerald; sons Jake and Dan; daughters Nancy, 
Denise, Betsy, Grace, Patty, and Mary; as well as 13 grandchildren and 
six great-grandchildren. Bill was particularly gratified that his 
daughter, Nancy, became the first woman to serve as Alameda County 
District Attorney.
  I join Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, 
Congressman

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Mike Thompson, and Congressman Jerry McNerney in recognizing Bill's 
volunteerism and enthusiasm as a public servant in his community. He 
will be sincerely missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him, 
and he will be remembered for his endless service to Contra Costa 
County.

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