[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E146-E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE SERVICE OF EIZO KOBAYASHI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 6, 2020

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service 
of long-time

[[Page E147]]

community member, Eizo Kobayashi as he celebrates his 88th birthday, a 
milestone of special esteem in the Japanese culture.
  Eizo Kobayashi was born in Oakland, California in 1932. During World 
War II, Eizo's family was interned and moved to the Topaz Relocation 
Center in Utah. As a 10-year-old Japanese American, Eizo was faced with 
institutionalized racism, the experiences of which would stay with him 
throughout his life. His memories during the three years his family was 
interned include his father being hospitalized and subsequently moved 
to another location, while the rest of his family remained in Utah. 
Eizo would go out into the desert and collect shells, crystals, 
arrowheads and other artifacts he could find. Upon being released from 
the internment camp, the Kobayashi family moved back to California 
where Eizo graduated from Piedmont High School. He went on to study at 
the University of California, Berkeley where he received a Bachelor of 
Arts and a Community College Lifetime Teaching Credential. After 
graduation, Eizo served in the U.S. Army before turning his focus to 
law enforcement. In 1956, Eizo became a Deputy Probation Officer in the 
Adult Division of the Alameda County Probation Department. He later 
began working for the California Department of Corrections in 1962 and 
moved up the ranks until he retired as a Unit Supervisor and District 
Administrator in 1995.
  While tirelessly pursuing professional success, Eizo always 
understood the importance of family and community. Eizo and his wife, 
Mary, wed in 1965 and moved to Concord, California where they raised 
two daughters, Keiko and Tamiko. Not only is Eizo a dedicated family 
man, but he is also passionate about his community. He has been the 
President of the Diablo Valley Chapter for the Japanese American 
Citizens League, the Vice President of the Unity Foundation in Concord, 
President of the Concord Senior Citizens Club, and a board member of 
the Concord Ambassadors. Additionally, in 1992 Eizo was appointed to 
the Police Facility Blue Ribbon Task Force. Eizo's connection to the 
local community is also exemplified by his contributions as a former 
columnist for the Contra Costa Times. Eizo continues his work to this 
day serving the homeless at the Concord Adult Homeless Shelter and is 
an appointed member of the Contra Costa County Merit Board, a seat 
which he has held for the last 30 years.
  Eizo has always been a civic leader and has received the 1993 
Humanitarian Award from the Unity Foundation, the 1994 Civil Rights 
Advocacy Award from the Concord Human Relations Commission, and the 
1996 City of Concord Mayor's Award, among other awards.
  Eizo's influence and strong moral character continue to foster a 
positive impact in the community. As a longtime friend and inspiration, 
please join me in congratulating Eizo on his 88th birthday and his life 
of service and leadership.

                          ____________________