[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 97 (Friday, May 22, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E478-E479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERT SILVA

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. TJ COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 2020

  Mr. COX of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in Honor of Robert 
Silva who passed away on May 13th. He served as Mayor and Councilmember 
in Mendota, California and was a pillar of the community. Mr. Silva was 
a lifelong resident of Mendota and attended Tranquility High. After 
high school, Robert joined the Army to serve his country. He was a 
husband, father, grandfather, and devoted member of the Mendota 
community.
  During his years as a city official, spent every day improving lives 
in the community he served. He was a champion during the recession 
years where the economy and numerous droughts severely impacted the 
agricultural industry and Mendota's farmworker community. He fought to 
bring back businesses and his efforts resulted in the restart of 
stalled construction of a federal prison and a scheduled groundbreaking 
of a solar-energy farm. Mr. Silva never stopped advocating for his 
community and in his last years as Mayor he was able to secure a 
donation for the Mendota Boys and Girls club that prevented it from 
closing. Ensuring that the children of Mendota retained a safe place 
where they could learn, play, and grow as well as be provided with a 
daily nutritious meal.
  As one of the founders of the Latino Water Coalition Mr. Silva made 
sure that the voice of his community, and indeed the voice of all the 
Fresno Westside communities, was heard, and their needs brought to the 
attention of the media. He proudly defended his community because he 
knew that even though they are smaller than other communities, his was 
made up of hardworking people who were just as deserving as any other. 
The City of Mendota chose to honor Mr. Silva in 2018 for his service to 
the City as the longest serving mayor by dedicating a newly built plaza 
in his honor.
  The Mendota community has experienced an immense loss, but his spirit 
lives on through the lives he touched. He was a man of great integrity 
whose dedication and contributions to the Mendota community are 
innumerable. He will always be remembered, and his leadership will be 
missed. Mr. Silva leaves behind his wife Mary, their children and 
grandchildren.

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