[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 201 (Monday, November 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MAYOR JILL TECHEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 30, 2020

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Mayor Jill Techel for her leadership and accomplishments, and to mark 
her retirement after 16 years as Mayor of the City of Napa.
  Jill Techel grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota and earned a 
Bachelor's degree in social work from the University of North Dakota. 
She moved to Napa in 1971, where she began her public service career as 
a member of the Napa Parks and Recreation Commission and the Napa 
Valley Unified School District Board, eventually serving as the leader 
of both organizations, all while raising her two children. In 1996, she 
was appointed to the Napa City Council, where she was reelected twice 
before being elected Mayor in 2005.
  One of Mayor Techel 's most important achievements during her tenure 
was championing the Napa River and Napa Creek Flood Protection Project, 
which rerouted the Napa River to prevent devastating floods in downtown 
Napa, a consistent problem in the city before her efforts. Without 
Mayor Techel's persistence in advocating for funding in Washington on 
behalf of Napa, this project would not have been realized.
  Mayor Techel's legacy extends far beyond her commitment to flood 
prevention. She has helped build up Napa 's world-class reputation by 
cultivating a vibrant arts scene through the creation of the Rail Arts 
District, BottleRock Festival, and the Napa Art Walk. She has also 
supported arts education, collaborating with the school district to 
allow students to display their art at the Napa Lighted Art Festival, 
Napa 's newest public art efforts. Through her calming presence, Mayor 
Techel has led the city through multiple crises, including the 2005 
flood, the 2014 earthquake, the 2017 fires, and the coronavirus 
pandemic.
  Throughout her time as mayor, Mayor Techel has been recognized 
countless times for leadership and dedication to her community. In 
2004, she received the Preceptor Award for Outstanding Leadership 
Professionals from the National Community Leadership Association. 
Following the 2014 South Napa Earthquake, Mayor Techel was named the 
Napa Chamber Citizen of the Year for demonstrating immense leadership 
in her fight for resources to assist in Napa's recovery.
  Madam Speaker, I join Napa in wishing Mayor Techel well as she goes 
from caring for her city to caring for her grandchildren in retirement. 
Mayor Jill Techel exemplifies a strong, commonsense leader with 
admirable dedication to serving her community. It is therefore fitting 
and proper that we honor her today.

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